RAIPUR: In one of the biggest recent mass surrenders in Bastar, 63 Maoists – 36 of them carrying cash rewards totalling Rs 1.2 crore – laid down arms before police and CRPF officers in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Friday under state govt’s ‘Puna Margeim’ rehabilitation scheme, reports Rashmi Drolia. Police said the surrender came months ahead of the March 31 deadline set by Centre to eliminate left-wing extremism from the country. Among those who surrendered were divisional committee members, area committee members and militia platoon commanders, hailing from Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur and Narayanpur districts. Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai said cadres were active in Darbha division, South Bastar, West Bastar, Marh region and adjoining areas of Odisha. Seven of the cadres carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh each, and were identified as Pradeep Oyam, Mohan Azad Kadti, Sumitra Chapa, Hungi Lekam, Sukhram Tati, Pandu Madkam and Somdu Kadti. Seven others had a reward of Rs 5 lakh each, eight had Rs 2 lakh, 11 had Rs 1 lakh and three carried a bounty of Rs 50,000 each, adding up to Rs 1.2 crore, Rai said.
