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Dantewada Naxal Surrender: In Dantewada, 37 Naxalites laid down their arms and returned to the mainstream, including 12 women. Heavy weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from them. The strategy of police and administration and the rehabilitation plan of the government inspired the Naxalites to surrender. The Chief Minister and the Home Minister welcomed him and said that Bastar is moving forward on the path of peace.
Dantewada. Today there has been a big victory against Naxalism in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. Together 37 dangerous Maoists laid down their arms and returned to the mainstream. 12 women Naxalites are also included in the surrender. A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from them. This is considered to be the biggest blow to the Naxal organization in Bastar region so far.
All these Naxalites were hiding in the forests for the last several years. The police had declared a reward of up to Rs 5 lakh on many of these. Some were bodyguards and squad members of big Naxalite commanders. But now all of them were tired and came forward impressed by the rehabilitation policy of the government. Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said, “Our continuous efforts and the cooperation of the local people have borne fruit. The Naxalites who are surrendering are saying that it has become difficult for them to live in the forest now. The police is reaching everywhere and even the villagers are no longer supporting them.”
The surrendered Naxalites said that the new rehabilitation policy of the government is very good. Under this, whoever surrenders his weapon gets Rs 10,000 immediately, then incentive amount up to Rs 4.5 lakh is given in different installments. Apart from this, assistance of Rs 3 lakh is also available for building a house, training and security for job or self-employment. Women Naxalites are also getting all the same facilities. A female Naxalite said, “We thought that if we surrender, the police will kill us, but here we were welcomed like a blessing. Now we want to educate our children and live a good life.”
The strategy of police and administration has also shown wonders. On one side, intensive search operation and surveillance is being done through drones, on the other side, Naxalites are being appealed to surrender by going to every village. Facilities like schools, hospitals, roads, electricity and water are reaching the forest villages. The money from government schemes is going directly into people’s accounts. Due to this, the villagers’ trust in the government has increased and distance has been created from the Naxalites.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and Home Minister Vijay Sharma welcomed all the surrendered Naxalites and said, “Peace is returning to Bastar. We will give full respect to anyone who wants to leave the gun and take up the pen.” This big surrender of Dantewada has given new hope for peace in entire Bastar. More Naxalites may return to the mainstream in the coming days. This is truly a golden day for Chhattisgarh.
