26 Naxalites surrender in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada ahead of Lok Sabha polls
- In Reports
- 02:36 PM, Apr 16, 2024
- Myind Staff
Ahead of the upcoming general elections in Chhattisgarh, 26 Naxalites surrendered in Dantewada, falling under the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency. The region is scheduled for polling on April 19.
According to Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai, among the surrendered individuals was Joga Muchaki, who previously led the 'Korajguda Panchayat janatana sarkar' of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoists) and had a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head.
Rai stated that the surrendered individuals presented their weapons to police and CRPF officials. They were affiliated with the Maoists in south Bastar, specifically within the Kistaram, Bhairamgarh, Malangir, and Katekalyan area committees. Rai added that they expressed admiration for the police's rehabilitation initiative, 'Lon Varratu', while expressing disillusionment with the Maoist ideology.
The SP added that these cadres had been assigned tasks such as road digging, tree felling to block roads, and displaying posters and banners during Naxalite shutdowns. They will receive facilities in accordance with the government's surrender and rehabilitation policy.
According to police reports, among the 26 individuals who surrendered, five were women, while two girls and a boy, all aged 17, were also among them. Officials further stated that a total of 717 Naxalites, including 176 with bounties on their heads, have joined the mainstream in the district under the police's 'Lon Varratu' campaign, initiated in June 2020.
Officials reported that on April 13, police lodged two cases against senior Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma, who is also the party's candidate for the Bastar Lok Sabha seat, in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. The cases were filed on the grounds of alleged violation of the model code of conduct due to objectionable remarks made by Lakhma.
A district official reported that an FIR was filed against him at Mirtur police station for allegedly making an objectionable remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while another case was registered at Kutru police station for his alleged statement against the police and administration.
Image source: India TV
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