63 Naxalites, including 36 with total bounty of Rs 1.19 cr, surrender in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada
Dantewada (PTI): As many as 63 Naxalites, 36 of them carrying a collective bounty of over Rs 1.19 crore, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Friday, a senior police official said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the development and said another historic milestone has been achieved towards peace, trust and development in Bastar region.
The cadres, including 18 women, turned themselves in before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials here under 'Poona Margem' (from rehabilitation to social reintegration) initiative, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said.
The Naxalites said they were also impressed by the state government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, he added.
They were active in south Bastar division, west Bastar division, Maad division in the state, and in areas bordering Odisha, he said.
Seven of the cadres carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, he said.
These Naxalites have been identified as Paklu, alias Pradip Oyam (45), who was the secretary of Kalahandi area committee of Maoists; Mohan, alias Azad Kadti (32), a divisional committee member; his wife Sumitra, alias Droupati Chapa (30), Bhairamarh area committee secretary; Hungi, alias Radhika Lekam (28), platoon party committee member; Sukhram Tati (20), member of Company no. 1; Pandu Madkam (19), member of Company no. 7, and Somdu Kadti (21), who was also a member of the same wing.
Seven other cadres carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, eight cadres Rs 2 lakh each, 11 cadres Rs 1 lakh each and three cadres Rs 50,000 each, the official said.
"These these 36 cadres carried a collective reward of Rs 1,19,50,000. All the 63 surrendered Naxalites will be provided an immediate assistance of Rs 50,000 each and will be further rehabilitated as per the government's policy," the SP added.
In a statement, the chief minister said under the 'Poona Margem' (from rehabilitation to social reintegration) initiative, a total of 63 Maoists renounced the path of violence in Dantewada and pledged to join the democratic and developmental mainstream.
This is not merely an act of surrender, but a decisive transformation for the future of Bastar, he said.
The achievement is an outcome of the strong will of the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the clear, multi-dimensional security and development strategy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sai said.
This development stands as proof that "not the gun, but dialogue and development are the permanent solutions", he added.
"Due to the state government's sensitive rehabilitation policy, precise security strategy and governance-driven administrative approach, Naxalism has now reached its final phase. Maoist networks are being effectively dismantled, and basic facilities such as roads, electricity, education, healthcare, employment and digital connectivity are rapidly reaching the remote interiors of Bastar region," Sai said.
Those who have surrendered will be provided with dignified rehabilitation, skill training, livelihood support and social reintegration by the government, so that they can become self-reliant citizens and establish themselves permanently in the mainstream of society, the CM added.
On January 7, as many as 26 Naxalites had surrendered in the neighbouring Sukma district.
More than 1,500 Naxalites surrendered in the state in 2025, as per police.
The Centre has resolved to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026.
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Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
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