Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that 258 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra over the last two days. Calling it a “landmark day in India’s battle against Naxalism”, the Home Minister said that the development reflects the weakening grip of Naxal groups and growing trust in the Constitution of India.
According to the Home Ministry, 170 Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh on Thursday, while 27 and 61 laid down arms in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, respectively, on Wednesday.
In a post on X, Shah said, “A landmark day in our battle against Naxalism. Today, 170 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh. Yesterday 27 had laid down their arms in the state. In Maharashtra, 61 returned to the mainstream yesterday. In total, 258 battle-hardened left-wing extremists have abjured violence in the last two days.”
He added, “I applaud their decision to renounce violence, reposing their trust in the Constitution of India. It attests to the fact that Naxalism is breathing its last due to the relentless efforts of the Narendra Modi-led government to end the menace. The policy of the government is clear: those who want to surrender are welcome, and those who continue to wield the gun will meet the wrath of our forces.”
Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to completely eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026, urging remaining extremists to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream.
In another post, the Home Minister said that Abujhmarh and North Bastar – once considered strongholds of Naxal terror – have been declared free of Naxal influence.
“Since January 2024, after our government was formed in Chhattisgarh, 2,100 Naxalites have surrendered, 1,785 have been arrested, and 477 have been eliminated. These numbers mirror the fierce resolve of our government to decimate Naxalism before March 31, 2026,” Shah said.
The list of those who surrendered includes 10 senior operatives, among them Satish alias T Vasudeo Rao (CCM), Ranita (SZCM, Secretary of Maad DVC), Bhaskar (DVCM, PL 32), Nila alias Nande (DVCM, IC and Secretary of Nelnar AC), and Deepak Palo (DVCM, IC and Secretary of Indravati AC).
T Vasudeo Rao carried a reward of ₹1 crore on his head. Other operatives of SZCM rank had rewards of ₹25 lakh, while DVCMs carried ₹10–15 lakh, and ACMs ₹5 lakh.
Along with their surrender, a large cache of arms was handed over to security forces, including AK-47s, INSAS rifles, SLRs, and .303 rifles.
