Daijiworld Media Network - Jagdalpur

Jagdalpur, Oct 17: In a significant blow to Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh, a total of 208 Naxalites from the remote Maad region laid down arms on Friday, signaling a major shift in the state's fight against extremism.

The surrender took place at the Reserve Police Lines in Jagdalpur, Bastar, in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who addressed the gathering virtually.

Symbolizing their return to the democratic fold, the former rebels marched in holding copies of the Indian Constitution and banners bearing the message "Puna Margem"—which translates to "the path of return." As part of the surrender, they handed over a large cache of 153 weapons, including:

• 19 AK-47 rifles

• 17 SLR rifles

• 23

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