22 Naxals arrested, 33 surrender in Chattisgarh

Twenty-two Naxalites were arrested and explosive material was seized from them at three places in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed on Friday.

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"Cobra Commandos and the Chhattisgarh Police have arrested 22 notorious Naxalites with modern weapons and explosive materials in various operations in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh," the Home Minister wrote on X.

He also said 11 more Naxalites had surrendered in Badesetti Panchayat of Sukma, due to which this panchayat had become completely Naxal-free.

"I appeal to the hiding Naxalites to lay down their arms as soon as possible and join the mainstream by adopting the surrender policy of the Modi government. We are determined to free the country from the scourge of Naxalism before March 31, 2026," the Home Minister said.

Meanwhile, in yet another major setback to the Maoist movement, 33 Naxalites surrendered before security forces in Sukma district on Friday. Seventeen of them carried a total bounty of Rs 49 lakh.

The surrender happened in two phases: 22 cadres, including nine women, gave themselves up earlier in the day, followed by 11 more, among them two women.  Several were senior operatives, such as Muchaki Joga and his wife, both carrying Rs 8 lakh reward, along with others who had bounties ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh.

According to police, many cited their disillusionment with Maoist ideology and frustration over exploitation of tribal communities. They were also influenced by the government’s ‘Niyad Nellanar’ development scheme and the new rehabilitation policy, officials said.

Eleven of the surrendered rebels were from Badesatti village, now declared Maoist-free under the 'Elvad Panchayat Yojana' — a new initiative offering Rs 1 crore in development aid to panchayats that facilitate surrenders.

Each surrendered cadre received Rs 50,000 in immediate support and will be rehabilitated as per the 2025 state policy. Last year alone, over 790 Naxalites gave up arms in the Bastar region.