Raipur, Sep 24 (IANS) In a major breakthrough for peace and rehabilitation efforts in South Bastar, 71 Maoists, including 30 with bounties totalling Rs 64 lakh, on Wednesday laid down arms and surrendered to authorities under the Chhattisgarh government’s flagship initiatives – Lon Varratu (Come Back Home) and Puna Margem (Rehabilitation and Regeneration).

Among the surrendered cadres were 21 women and 50 men, many of whom were deeply involved in violent activities over the past decade.

The most prominent among them was Baman Madkam, carrying an Rs 8 lakh reward, who had participated in multiple police-Naxalite encounters across villages like Dugaiguda, Ambeli, Velagadaram, and Gundam between 2011 and 2024.

Other notable surrenders included: Shamila alias Somli Kawasi (Rs 5 lakh reward)

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