Raipur, May 27 || In a significant development, 18 Maoists, including four associated with Battalion No. 1, surrendered in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, under the influence of the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme.
According to Sukma SP, Kiran G Chavan, Naxals from four different battalions, including those active in South Bastar, chose to abandon insurgency.
He urged others to follow suit, highlighting that surrendered individuals would receive benefits from state government schemes aimed at rehabilitation.
After elimination of Basvaraju – the dreaded Maoist who was carrying a Rs 1.5 crore bounty on his head, more Maoists are expected to surrender, the officer said.
The surrender is an outcome of the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign launched by the government and actively propagated by security forces.
‘Lon Varratu’ means come back home to your roots. The officers talk with the Maoists, particularly the young ones to lay down arms and join the mainstream of development.
The government has assured full support, including financial aid and skill development training.