16 Maoists give up arms in Lon Varratu (Return home) Campaign of Dantewada police

In response to the appeal of Kirandool police, 16 new Maoists from South Bastar district of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh have surrendered under the Lon Varratu (Return home) Campaign of Dantewada police. Two of these Maoists also had cash rewards on their head. The police have issued a press release in this regard, reflecting the current situation and surrenders of Maoists in the insurgency affected Bastar region of Chattisgarh.

Under the Naxal Extinction Mission, police forces in Dantewada, Malangeer-Bhairamgarh Area Committee of Darbha division conducted talks with the 16 Maoists. "Frustrated with the hollow ideology of the Maoist Party, they returned from the Maoist camp to join the mainstream society and are willing to cooperate in the development of the region (sic)," Dr Abhishek Pallav, Dantewada Police Commissioner said in his statement.

Militia Commander Madkam Hurrah (28) from Sakeen-Madkameeras Sarpanchpara and Dandakaranya Kisan Majdoor Sangh (DKMS) President Hunga Barsa (35) from Sakeen-Kuhachepal Molsanar had an award of 1 lakh rupees each on their heads. They are among the prime members of the Party who have surrendered their arms. Four members of another Adivasi organisation, Dandakaranya Adivasi-Kisan Majdoor Sangh (DAKMS) have surrendered their arms to the Kirandool Police station on the same day. Two tribals aged 20 are also among the surrendered militants. Most of the surrendered Maoists are from the village of Madkamiras. Police had distributed the posters asking these militants to surrender and join the mainstream. According to police officials, four of the militants from the list were asked to surrender with their weapons - 'Bow and arrow' - whilst others were asked to surrender bare-handed.

"The Maoists were involved in activities such as digging roads, patrolling for Naxalites, cooking meals for militants, plotting ID and pressure bombs and firing," Pallav said.

The State Police are appealing to the villagers and active Maoists to surrender under the Lon Varratu Campaign. Under this, 74 cash rewarded Maoists have surrendered their arms to date, with total surrenders reaching the number of 288. Incentives worth Rs 10,000 are distributed to every surrendered Maoist by Indian Police Force. On January 26th, 24 Maoists, including three Maoists carrying cash rewards, had surrendered their arms at Schoolpara Chikpal Police Station. The station was highlighted recently in the press when a Maoist identified as Hidma Muchaki, member of Maoist party from Katekalyan Area Committee carrying a Rs 5 lakh cash-reward on his head was killed "in exchange of fire between security forces (Dantewada DRG and CAF17th bn) and Maoists", according to police officials. The action had taken place in jungles between Chikpal and Marjum villages, where the body was later recovered.