Senior Maoist Leader Vikas Among 15 Naxalites Who Surrender in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: In a significant breakthrough for security forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations, a senior Maoist leader identified as Vikas along with 14 other cadres surrendered before police authorities in Chhattisgarh on Monday. Officials said the group included nine women, and all were active along the sensitive Chhattisgarh–Odisha border region.

According to police, the surrendered cadres were associated with the Balangir–Bargarh–Mahasamund (BBM) division of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and had been involved in several activities across forested areas straddling the inter-state boundary.

Details of the Surrender

The surrender ceremony took place in the presence of senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials. Authorities described Vikas as a key functionary within the divisional structure who had been active in mobilising local recruits and coordinating operations in border villages.

Police sources said many of the surrendered cadres had been disillusioned with the Maoist ideology and were facing increasing hardships due to sustained security operations and lack of local support.

Area of Operation

The BBM division operates across parts of western Odisha and adjoining districts of Chhattisgarh, particularly in forested and tribal-dominated belts. The region has historically been used as a transit and logistics corridor by Maoist groups due to difficult terrain and porous inter-state boundaries.

Security agencies have intensified coordinated operations in recent years to dismantle Maoist infrastructure in the area, leading to arrests, encounters, and a growing number of surrenders.

Rehabilitation and Support

Officials stated that the surrendered cadres would be rehabilitated under the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, which provides financial assistance, vocational training, housing support, and other benefits to encourage mainstream reintegration.

Senior police officers reiterated that those willing to give up violence would be given an opportunity to rebuild their lives, while operations against armed cadres who continue violent activities would persist.

Security Perspective

Authorities described the surrender as a morale boost for anti-Naxal forces and a setback for Maoist operations along the Chhattisgarh–Odisha border. They said continued pressure, improved intelligence networks, and developmental outreach in remote villages have contributed to weakening extremist influence in the region.

Further investigations are underway to verify the roles and past involvement of the surrendered individuals in criminal cases.