Major Success in Anti-Naxal Operations in South Chhattisgarh
Significant Surrender of Naxalites
In a notable achievement for anti-Naxal operations in South Chhattisgarh, police officials reported that on Wednesday, 26 Naxalites surrendered to security forces in Sukma district. Among them, 13 individuals had a combined bounty of ₹6.5 million. This surrender is part of the state government's "Puna Margem" initiative, aimed at guiding armed militants away from extremism towards social reintegration.
Kiran Chavan, the Superintendent of Police in Sukma, stated that the group included seven women who surrendered in front of senior police officials and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers.
Background of the Surrender
According to police reports, the individuals who surrendered were affiliated with various units of the banned Naxalite organization, including the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion, South Bastar Division, and the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) Division. Chavan noted that they were involved in numerous violent incidents across Chhattisgarh's Abujhmad and Sukma regions, as well as in bordering areas of Odisha. He added that prolonged hardships and internal discontent within the organization contributed to their decision to surrender.
Key Figures Among the Surrendered
Among the prominent individuals who surrendered was Lali, also known as Muchaki Ayte Lakhmu (35), a member of the company party committee with a bounty of ₹1 million. She is accused of involvement in several major attacks, including an IED explosion on the Koraput Road in Odisha in 2017, which resulted in the deaths of 14 security personnel. Other notable Naxal cadres who surrendered include Hemla Lakhma (41), Asmita alias Kamalu Sunny (20), Rambati alias Padam Jogi (21), and Sundaram Pale (20), each with a bounty of ₹800,000. Police reported that Hemla Lakhma was involved in an attack in Sukma district in 2020 that killed 17 security personnel. Many other surrendered cadres were also linked to violent incidents targeting security forces and infrastructure.