108 Maoists Surrender in Jagdalpur with 101 Weapons and ₹3.61 Crore Cash

A huge number of 108 Maoists surrendered in Jagdalpur. This is the largest group to give up weapons and cash in a long time.
By Newsroom | Security, India |

In a massive desertion from the forest camps of Chhattisgarh, 108 Maoist cadres belonging to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) turned themselves in at Jagdalpur on Wednesday. The group, which included 44 women, surrendered a stash of 101 weapons and led police to a hidden cache containing ₹3.61 crore in cash and one kilogram of gold valued at roughly ₹1.64 crore. Officials describe the hardware recovery—which included AK-47s, Light Machine Guns, and grenade launchers—as the largest single seizure in the history of regional anti-insurgency efforts.

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"The recovered arsenal includes 101 weapons, comprising seven AK-47 rifles, 10 INSAS rifles, four Light Machine Guns (LMG), 11 Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGL), twenty .303 rifles and various other firearms." — Sundarraj Pattilingam, IG Bastar Range.

Breakdown of the Ranks and Bounties

The defecting group was not merely low-level foot soldiers; it included a dense layer of the insurgency’s middle management. The collective bounty on their heads totaled between ₹3.29 crore and ₹3.95 crore.

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Rank / PositionNumberReward (Estimated)
Divisional Committee Members (DVCM)5 to 6₹8 lakh each
Platoon Party/Company Commanders15 to 18Varied
Area Committee Members21 to 23Varied
General Party Members56 to 63Varied

The surrender effectively hollows out the West, East, and North Bastar divisions, with key names like Rahul Telam, Pandru Kovasi, and Jhitru Oyam among those walking away from the conflict.

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Geographic Spread of the Desertion

The 108 individuals represent a wide fracture across the southern districts of the state:

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  • Bijapur: 37 members

  • Dantewada: 30 members

  • Sukma: 18 members

  • Bastar: 16 members

  • Narayanpur: 4 members

  • Kanker: 3 members

Logistics of the "Poona Margem"

The mass exit was organized under a state-run program titled 'Poona Margem' (translated as Rehabilitation through Rebirth). Under this framework, the former fighters are promised a mix of:

  • Immediate financial aid and housing.

  • Vocational training and schooling.

  • Legal processing of their prior insurgent activity.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma noted that out of 30 Naxalite area committees active in the region, 26 have now been effectively disbanded or neutralized.

Background: The 2026 Deadline

This surge in surrenders occurs as the central government nears its self-imposed March 31, 2026 deadline for the "complete removal" of Maoist influence in India. Security forces have ramped up pressure in the Indravati area, pushing the DKSZC—a group notorious for past lethal ambushes—into a corner where staying in the brush is becoming more expensive than quitting. Currently, police state only two high-level Central Committee members of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) remain at large in this sector.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened with Maoist members in Jagdalpur on Wednesday?
On Wednesday, 108 Maoist members surrendered in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. They gave up 101 weapons and a large amount of cash and gold. This is a big event for the area.
Q: How many weapons and how much money did the Maoists surrender in Jagdalpur?
The 108 Maoists surrendered 101 weapons, including rifles and machine guns. They also gave up ₹3.61 crore in cash and 1 kilogram of gold. This is the biggest seizure of its kind.
Q: Who is affected by the surrender of 108 Maoists in Jagdalpur?
The surrender affects Maoist groups in the West, East, and North Bastar divisions. Key leaders were part of the group that surrendered. This weakens the Maoist presence in the southern districts of Chhattisgarh.
Q: What is the 'Poona Margem' program for the surrendering Maoists?
'Poona Margem' means Rehabilitation through Rebirth. Under this program, the former Maoists get help like money, housing, training, and schooling. They also get legal help for their past actions.
Q: Why are so many Maoists surrendering in Chhattisgarh now?
The Indian government has a goal to end Maoist influence by March 31, 2026. Security forces are increasing pressure in areas like Indravati. This makes it harder and more costly for Maoists to stay in the forests, leading to more surrenders.