51 Naxalites surrender in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur
Bijapur/Kanker(PTI): As many as 51 Naxalites, 20 of them carrying a collective bounty of Rs 66 lakh, surrendered in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, police said.
Hailing the development, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the country is now rapidly moving towards achieving the goal of a Naxal-free India.
Fifty-one Naxalites, including nine women, returned to the mainstream citing that they were impressed by the state government's rehabilitation policy and development initiatives, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said.
Their decision to quit the path of violence marks another significant step in the state government's ongoing mission to eradicate Naxalism through peace, dialogue and development, he said.
Their surrender was part of 'Poona Margham - Punarwas se Punarjeevan' (rehabilitation for social integration), a rehabilitation initiative launched by Bastar Range police for Naxalites.
Among those who surrendered were five members of the PLGA (Peoples' Liberation Guerrilla Army) battalion number 01 and company numbers 01, 02 and 05, one area committee member, seven members of area committees party and platoon, three members of the LOS (local organisation squad) group, one militia platoon commander, 14 militia platoon members and 20 lower-rung members, he said.
Since January 2024, a total of 650 Maoists have joined the mainstream in Bijapur, 196 were neutralised in encounters, while 986 others were arrested, he said.
"The government's rehabilitation policy has been attracting Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream. The families of Maoists who are joining the mainstream also want them to live a normal life and move forward hand in hand with society," Yadav said.
The necessary legal process for the rehabilitation and reintegration of these 51 cadres into society is underway.
In a post on 'X', CM Sai said, "The light of rehabilitation dispels the darkness of fear. The Chhattisgarh government's Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025 and the Niyad Nella Nar scheme have instilled new hope in young people involved in the violent ideology of Maoism. Leaving the path of violence, they are now returning to the mainstream".
"Under the 'Poona Margham' campaign, and through the continuous efforts of the security forces, 51 Maoists, carrying a total reward of Rs 66 lakh, surrendered today, expressing their faith in the Constitution and resolving to live a life of dignity within the democratic system," he said.
This step is proof that Bastar is now entering a new era of peace and progress, dispelling the darkness of fear and violence. The government's sensitive policies and humanitarian approach have proven that dialogue is the permanent solution to this problem, he said.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the country is now rapidly moving towards the goal of a Naxal-free India, he added.
Meanwhile, 21 active Maoist cadres who had surrendered on Sunday (October 26) in Kanker district, were formally reintegrated into the social mainstream in the presence of tribal community elders and senior officials during a function in the district.
They were welcomed into the mainstream by being presented with copies of the Constitution of India, symbolising their return to democratic life, during a function held at the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare (CTJW) College, Kanker, police said.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said the reintegration of these 21 cadres into society reflects the growing disillusionment of the Maoist cadres with the violent and anti-people ideology.
The cadres, including 18 women, carried a cumulative reward of Rs 85 lakh on their heads, he said.
They handed over 18 weapons, including three AK-47 rifles, four Self Loading Rifles (SLRs), two INSAS rifles, five .303 rifles, one 315 bore rifle, two single shot rifles and Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL) to police, he said.
Sundarraj has also categorically mentioned that the remaining top Maoist cadres, including Politburo member Devji, Central Committee member Hidma, DKSZC (Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee) members Pappa Rao, Barse Deva and others - have no option other than shunning violence and joining the mainstream, otherwise they will have to face decisive operations.
Kanker Senior Superintendent of Police, Indira Kalyan Elesela, said with this surrender in Kanker, the Kuyemari/Kiskodo area committee of Maoists has been effectively dismantled, further weakening the presence of Naxalites in the Keshkal Division.
With the complete dismantling of these area committees, another stronghold of Naxals has been neutralised in Bastar region, he said.
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2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
