Overview
- Fifteen cadres laid down arms in Mahasamund on Saturday night, with the formal announcement made Sunday by state officials.
- The group included Special Zonal Committee member Vikas and a mix of divisional, area and platoon ranks, with nine women among those surrendering.
- Police said the cadres handed over 14 weapons, including three AK-47s, two SLRs, two INSAS rifles, four .303 rifles and three 12-bore guns.
- ADGP Vivekanand Sinha said the move has completely dismantled the Maoists’ western sub-zone linked to the BBM division along the Chhattisgarh–Odisha border.
- Officials said contact was established on Wednesday before the surrender, which they attributed to intensified operations and a rehabilitation policy, citing broader gains toward the Centre’s March 31 anti-LWE target.