Ten Maoists, together with 4 girls, surrendered on Sunday (December 7, 2025) after laying down arms within the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Balaghat district.
The event comes a month after a lady Maoist surrendered in Balaghatchanging into the primary to put down arms in Madhya Pradesh for the reason that introduction of State’s new rehabilitation coverage, launched in August 2023.
Talking at a program held for the formal give up, Mr. Yadav mentioned the ten Maoists collectively carried a reward of ₹2.36 crore throughout Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra,
The Maoists embody Surendra alias Soma Sodi, 50, a sub-zonal committee secretary within the Kanha-Bhoramdeo (KB) division of the Maharashtra–Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh (MMC) zone with a reward of ₹62 lakh on him. A local of Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, he was additionally the navy chief of the Darbha division of the Maoists.
One other surrendered Maoist, Rakesh Odi alias Manish, 42, a resident of Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district and a secretary within the MMC zone, additionally carried a bounty of ₹62 lakh. Aside from him, all 9 are from Chhattisgarh.
The arms and ammunition put down by the Maoists included two AK-47 rifles, two INSAS rifles, two single-shot rifles, a self-loading rifle, seven barrel grenade launcher (BGL) cells, 5 detonators, 4 walkie-talkie units, and over 100 rounds of cartridges.
“The federal government is dedicated to creating Madhya Pradesh Naxal-free, in accordance with the targets set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Dwelling Minister Amit Shah. Below their management, the marketing campaign of aakhiri salaam to lal salaam (final salute to crimson salute) is progressing. No one will probably be allowed to take up arms within the State,” Mr. Yadav mentioned, urging extra Maoists to put down arms below the Madhya Pradesh Give up, Rehabilitation cum Aid Coverage, 2023.
“The federal government will make each effort to safe their lives, guarantee their growth, and combine them into mainstream society,” he added.
The Chief Minister additionally congratulated the State’s police drive, together with the anti-naxal unit Hawk Power, and mentioned that no less than 10 hardcore Maoists have been eradicated this 12 months in Balaghat zone.
“In our campaigns of the previous two years, Mandla and Dindori (districts) have grow to be fully free from Maoist exercise,” Mr. Yadav mentioned, including that Maoist presence and actions will drop considerably within the Balaghat zone after the newest give up.
Hawk Power Commandant Shiyaz KM advised The Hindu that the ten Maoists had been a part of a unit of 18 members, residing within the Kanha Tiger Reserve forests, and that six of its members had been eradicated in encounters in February and April.
“We eradicated 4 in February and two in April. A pair from this unit ran off to Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur and surrendered earlier this 12 months,” he mentioned.
Mr. Shiyaz mentioned that contact was established with the group earlier this week after an intelligence unit of the drive got here in contact with a forest guard within the Kanha Tiger Reserve who had been approached by the Maoists searching for assist in transferring to Chhattisgarh.
“They had been planning to go to Chhattisgarh however our workforce established contact with them and satisfied them to fulfill the Inspector Normal of Police (IG), Balaghat,” Mr. Shiyaz mentioned, including that the group was made conscious of the advantages and provisions below the State’s rehabilitation coverage.
He mentioned that the brand new rehabilitation has been propagated within the forest areas of the Kanha Tiger Reserve and forest guards are a key a part of it.
“They reside in the course of the forest and infrequently are available contact with the Maoists. So, we’ve marketed the coverage amongst them correctly and guarantee them that they may even get advantages if they assist the police,” he mentioned.
The Commandant mentioned that proposals of the ten Maoists will probably be submitted to a give up committee that may determine on the phrases.
“We additionally regulate them for a interval determined by the committee and observe their actions, and assist them transition to a traditional life,” he added.
Revealed – December 07, 2025 09:53 pm IST