In a landmark event signalling a severe setback to the insurgency in Chhattisgarh, 208 Naxalites from the remote Maad region formally surrendered on Friday before Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who virtually participated in the programme at the Reserve Police Lines in Jagdalpur, Bastar district.

The former insurgents, many of whom had been active in the Dandakaranya forests for years, arrived holding copies of the Indian Constitution, symbolising their commitment to democratic values, with banners proclaiming ‘Puna Margem’ – a new life through rehabilitation. The group laid down a significant cache of 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 SLR rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, one INSAS light machine gun, 36 .303 rifles, four carbines, 11 barrel grenade l

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