In a major success for Chhattisgarh’s rehabilitation strategy against Left-Wing Extremism, seventy-one Maoist cadres surrendered before the Dantewada police on Wednesday. The group, consisting of 50 men and 21 women, laid down arms under the state’s Poona Margeṃ (rehabilitation for rebirth) initiative and the district-led Lon Varratu (come back home) campaign. Several of the surrendered cadres had been linked to past ambushes and violent attacks in Bastar.

The surrender ceremony, held at the office of the Superintendent of Police, was witnessed by senior police and CRPF officers. Among those giving up arms were wanted Maoist leaders such as Baman Madkam, who carried an ₹8 lakh bounty, and female commanders Shamila alias Somli Kavasi and Gangi alias Rohini Barse, each with a reward of ₹5 l

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