In a major success for anti-Naxal operations in neighbouring Jharkhand, as many as 27 Maoists surrendered before the Jharkhand Police in a single day on Thursday, marking one of the biggest mass surrenders in recent years.

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The surrendered rebels laid down arms before Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Tadasha Mishra, along with a huge cache of weapons and ammunition.

Police officials said that 25 of the surrendered Maoists belonged to the groups led by central committee members Misir Besra and Asim Mandal. These cadres reportedly operated as top commanders and armed squad members in the dense forest and hilly regions of Kolhan and Saranda, areas long considered Maoist strongholds.

Among the total 27 surrendered Maoists were six sub-zonal committee members, six area committee members, and thirteen armed squad members. Additionally, two members of the JJMP extremist outfit active in the Gumla district also surrendered before the police.

According to police sources, eight of the surrendered Maoists collectively carried rewards amounting to Rs 33 lakh. Several serious criminal cases, including attacks on security personnel, extortion, and illegal arms activities, were reportedly registered against them across multiple districts of the neighbouring state.

During the surrender process, the Maoists deposited a huge cache of arms and ammunition before the police. Officials revealed that the Maoist cadres surrendered 16 weapons and 2,857 rounds of live ammunition, while the JJMP members handed over one INSAS rifle along with 130 rounds of live ammunition. The seized weapons also included magazines and other combat equipment.

Security agencies described the development as a major blow to Maoist networks operating in Jharkhand. Senior officials stated that continuous anti-Naxal operations, intelligence-based raids, and strict enforcement measures had mounted sustained pressure on the insurgent groups, ultimately forcing many cadres to abandon violence and return to the mainstream.

Authorities believe the mass surrender will significantly weaken extremist activity in the region and strengthen peace-building efforts in Maoist-affected forest areas. Police officials have also reiterated their commitment to rehabilitation measures for surrendered cadres willing to join normal social life.

Reported By: Debabrata