28 Naxalites surrender in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur; 22 of them carry Rs 89 lakh collective bounty
Narayanpur (PTI): Twenty-eight Naxalites, 22 of them collectively carrying a reward of Rs 89 lakh on their heads, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Tuesday, officials said.
The cadres, including 19 women, turned themselves in before senior police officials here citing they were impressed by the 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) scheme of the state government, new surrender and rehabilitation policy and "Poona Margham (rehabilitation for social reintegration), Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bastar Range Sundarraj Pattilingam said.
While Niyad Nellanar scheme is aimed at facilitating development works in remote villages, Poona Margham is a rehabilitation initiative launched by Bastar Range police.
Of the surrendered, four hardcore cadres - Pandi Dhruv alias Dinesh (33), a Divisional Committee member; Dule Mandavi alias Munni (26), Chhattis Poyam (18), and Padni Oyam (30), all three members of military company no. 6 of East Bastar division of Maoists - carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, he said.
Among others, Lakhmu Usendi (20), Sukmati Nureti (25), Sakila Kashyap (35), Shambatti Shori (35), Chaite alias Rajita (30) and Budhra Rava (28), all area committee members, carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, he said.
Dinesh, Lakhmu and Sukmatri handed over one Self Loading Rifle (SLR), Insas rifle and one.303 rifle, respectively to police, he said.
The rehabilitation of 28 Maoist cadres in Narayanpur indicates that the end of the violent and anti-people Maoist ideology is near. People are reposing faith in the "Poona Margham" (Rehabilitation for Social Reintegration) initiative and choosing the path of peace and dignity, Pattilingam said.
In the last 50 days, more than 512 Maoist cadres have quit the path of violence and joined the mainstream in the Bastar range, comprising seven districts, including Narayanpur, he said.
Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria said with this surrender, a total of 287 Maoist cadres have quit violence and joined the mainstream in the district so far this year.
The remaining senior Maoist cadres, including politburo member Devji, Central Committee member Ramdar, Dandakaranya special zonal committee members Pappa Rao, Barse Deva and others, have no option but to renounce violence and join the mainstream, he said.
Around 2200 Naxalites, including top cadres, have surrendered in Chhattisgarh in the last 23 months, police said.
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TN govt reaffirms 21-yr age limit for liquor sales
Chennai (PTI): Seeking to curb rising alcohol consumption among minors in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has reinforced the legal age requirement of 21 for all liquor purchases and consumption.
The government has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets across the state and warned of strict action against those who violate the new directives.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the agency which holds a monopoly on sales of liquor, will be shutting 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 outlets near bus stations.
A senior TASMAC official on Thursday said that the staff at liquor shops have been instructed to check identity proof, including Aadhaar card, for all customers whose age is in question.
The official also said that the state government is considering a reduction in operational hours.
Currently, the liquor shops across the state operate from 12 noon to 10 pm.
"They are weighing a proposal to move the closing time to 8 pm," he added.
At present, the TASMAC operates a total of 4,765 liquor shops across the state. After the closure of 717 shops, it would come down to 4,048 outlets.
In 2025, the revenue from liquor sales stood at Rs 48,344 crore, which is the second highest after the registration department.
