Sixteen Naxalites, including two senior members of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), surrendered to authorities in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. Among them, six carried a combined bounty of ₹25 lakh. Notably, Rita alias Dodi Sukki, a 36-year-old member of the Central Regional Committee’s Company No. 2, and 18-year-old Rahul Punem from PLGA Battalion No. 1, each had a reward of ₹8 lakh on their heads.

Nine of the surrendered individuals hailed from Kerlapenda village under Chintalanar police station limits. With their surrender, Kerlapenda has been declared Maoist-free, making it eligible for ₹1 crore in development funds under the state’s new rehabilitation scheme.

The surrenders were influenced by disillusionment with Maoist ideology and the state’s ‘Niyad Nellanar’ (Your Good Village) initiative, which promotes development in remote areas. Each surrendered cadre received ₹50,000 as initial assistance and will be rehabilitated according to the state’s policy.