In a significant development, 21 Maoist cadres surrendered in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday, handing over 18 weapons to authorities, a police official said. The cadres laid down arms under the ‘Poona Margem: Rehabilitation through Reintegration’ initiative, launched by the Bastar Range police to facilitate the reintegration of Maoist members into society.
Among the 21 cadres is Division Committee Secretary Mukesh. Thirteen of the surrendered members are women. The group comprises four divisional committee members, nine area committee members, and eight members from the lower ranks of the outlawed organisation. All belong to the Kuemari/Kiskodo Area Committee of the Keshkal Division (North Sub-Zonal Bureau) of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
Authorities hailed the surrender as a major step towards peace and strengthening local security, while efforts continue to encourage other cadres to join the reintegration programme.

