Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 30 announced that 50 Naxalites had surrendered in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state. Among those who surrendered were 14 individuals with a combined reward of Rs 68 lakh on their heads.
The Union Minister and BJP leader praised Prime Minister Modi, stating, "Modi ji's policy is clear: any Naxalite who renounces violence and chooses the path of development will be rehabilitated and integrated into the mainstream."
In a message on X (formerly Twitter), Amit Shah appealed to other Naxals to lay down their arms, saying, “I once again urge those still involved to give up their weapons and join the mainstream. By March 31, 2026, Naxalism will be history in our country — this is our commitment.”The fifty Naxalites laid down arms in front of senior officials of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
"They surrendered citing the hollow and inhuman Maoist ideology, exploitation of tribals by senior cadres of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) as well as differences brewing within the movement. They are also impressed by security forces setting up camps and the 'Niya Nellanar' (your good village) scheme under which forces and the administration are providing basic amenities in remote areas," Bijapur Senior Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said.
On 29 March, 15 Maoists surrendered in the Dantewada district, a move facilitated by the 'Lon Varratu' (Come Back Home) campaign launched by senior police officers and supported by the Chhattisgarh Government's Rehabilitation Policy.
PM Narendra Modi on Sunday said Naxalism got encouragement for decades in Chhattisgarh and other states due to policies of Congress.
Addressing a public meeting in Mohbhattha village in Bilaspur district, Modi said the situation is rapidly changing and a new era of peace is setting in Naxal-affected areas.
"Over the decades, Naxalism got encouragement in many states including Chhattisgarh due to policies of Congress. Whichever region lagged in development, Naxalism flourished there, but what did the party that ran the government for 60 years do? It declared such districts as backward and turned away from its responsibility," he said.
