Police in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, said that nine Naxalites, who were allegedly involved in attacks on security forces and had a total bounty of Rs 43 lakh on their heads, surrendered themselves on Saturday. 

“The cadres, including two women, turned themselves in before senior officials from the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) here, citing disappointment with ‘hollow’ and ‘inhuman’ Maoist ideology and infighting within the outlawed outfit,” Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said. “The state government's 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) scheme, which aims to facilitate development works in remote villages, also impressed the surrendered Naxalites,” he said, adding that senior cadres were on the defensive due to the mounting pressure from security forces and the establishment of police camps in interior areas.

According to the official, Pradip alias Ravva Rakesh (20), a member of PLGA battalion no. 1's company wing, and Ransai alias Oyam Buska (34), the leader of Maoist platoon no. 24, were both carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh. According to him, a lady Naxalite carried a reward of Rs 3 lakh, two other cadres, one a woman, carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh each and four more cadres carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh. Chavan stated that Ransai was allegedly involved in several attacks, including the 2007 Jhara Ghati ambush in Narayanpur district, where seven policemen were killed. He was also linked to the 2007 Ranibodli attack in Bijapur district, which claimed the lives of 55 security personnel. Additionally, Ransai was reportedly involved in the 2017 Burkapal ambush in Sukma, resulting in the deaths of 25 CRPF personnel, and the 2020 Minpa ambush in Sukma, where 17 security personnel were killed.

He said that the other cadres who turned themselves in also took part in several assaults on security forces. He said that the 2nd and 223rd battalions, the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the Intelligence Branch Team, and the Konta police station all contributed significantly to their surrender. The Naxalites who turned themselves in were given Rs 25,000 each, according to the official and will receive additional rehabilitation in accordance with government policy. Seven districts, including Sukma, were part of the Bastar region where 792 Naxalites had surrendered last year.