At least 16 Maoists, two of whom had cash rewards against them, surrendered before police and CRPF officials in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district today, an official said.
The lower-rung cadres, who were active in Bacheli and Kirandul areas of the district, surrendered in Kirandul town, citing that they were impressed by the rehabilitation drive 'Lon Varratu' and disappointed with the "hollow" Maoist ideology, Dantewada superintendent of police Abhishek Pallava said.
With this, 288 Maoists have so far quit violence in the district under the 'Lon Varratu' (return to your home/village) campaign, launched in June last year, the official said.
According to him, the surrendered cadres also took part in a 'Tiranga' (national flag) rally with the police and planted saplings, while a seminar was held to commemorate the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary.
Of the 16 Maoists, Madkam Hurra, 28, a commander, and Hunga Barsa ,35, the head of the local unit of Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan (the frontal wing of Maoist), had a reward of Rs 1 lakh each against them, Mr Pallava said.
As many as 14 surrendered cadres are from Madkamiras village, he said.
Each of the surrendered Maoists was given an immediate assistance of Rs 10,000, and they will be provided additional facilities as per the government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, he said.
Under the 'Lon Varratu' (term coined in local Gondi dialect) initiative, Dantewada police have put up posters and banners in native villages of 1,600 Maoists, mostly those against whom there is a cash reward, and appealed to them to return to the mainstream.
Surrendered cadres are also being provided skill development training in different disciplines for their rehabilitation as a part of the drive, the official said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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