In a significant development for Chhattisgarh, 208 Maoists surrendered on Friday in Jagdalpur, marking the largest mass surrender in the state's history. This event is seen as a major setback for the insurgency in the region. Among those who laid down their arms were 110 women and 98 men, including high-ranking members of the Maoist leadership. The surrender took place in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who participated virtually from the Reserve Police Lines.

The former insurgents arrived holding copies of the Indian Constitution, symbolising their commitment to democratic values. They also displayed banners reading ‘Puna Margem’, which translates to ‘new life through rehabilitation’. The surrendered group handed over a substantial cache of 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), and various other firearms.

Among the notable figures who surrendered was Rupesh, also known as Takkalapalli Vasudeva Rao, a Central Committee Member and a senior commander in the CPI (Maoist). His presence signifies a disruption in the Maoist command structure in the area. Chief Minister Sai described the surrender as a turning point in the fight against extremism in Bastar, stating, "Our governance model, rooted in self-reliance, education, and dignity, is now bringing hope and transformation to the heart of Dandakaranya."

This mass surrender follows another event earlier in the week, where 28 Maoists had also surrendered, bringing the total to 238 in just three days. The surrendered cadres were welcomed back into society with red roses by tribal leaders, symbolising love and peace. The state’s Surrender and Rehabilitation policy offers various benefits, including financial assistance and employment opportunities, to help reintegrate former insurgents into mainstream society.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that this trend would continue, aiming for a Naxal-free Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. Over the past 22 months, the state has seen 477 Naxalites neutralised, 1,785 arrested, and 2,110 surrendering, indicating significant progress in combating Left-Wing Extremism in the region. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating Naxalism, particularly in the Bastar region.