News Brief
61 Naxalites Including Senior Cadre 'Bhupati' Surrender In Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district
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(Representative Image)
In a major breakthrough for Maharashtra’s anti-insurgency campaign, 61 Naxalites, including senior cadre M Venugopal alias Bhupati, surrendered before police in Gadchiroli district on Tuesday (14 October).
Officials described it as one of the most significant mass surrenders in recent years, marking a blow to the CPI (Maoist) network operating along the Maharashtra–Chhattisgarh border, reported PTI.
Bhupati, who carried a heavy cash reward, was a senior member of the organisation’s central committee. Among those surrendering were ten divisional committee members and several lower-rung cadres.
The surrender followed a September press release issued by the Maoists, in which Bhupati signalled his intention to lay down arms, inspiring others from Chhattisgarh and neighbouring regions to follow suit.
The development comes amid intensified anti-Naxal operations in eastern Maharashtra. Gadchiroli, sharing borders with Chhattisgarh’s Abujhmaad region, has long been a stronghold of Maoist activity.
However, the government’s rehabilitation policy — offering amnesty, financial support, and skill training has seen increasing success in persuading insurgents to return to the mainstream.
This sustained effort has opened the path for development to reach some of India’s most conflict-affected regions.
As part of this drive, the Chhattisgarh government has sanctioned a 21.5 km road project connecting insurgency-hit Abujhmarh in Narayanpur district directly to Maharashtra.
Estimated at Rs 152 crore, the project will feature a two-lane paved shoulder design, ensuring all-weather connectivity through dense forest terrain.
It will form part of NH-130D, linking Kutul in Abujhmarh to Neelangur on the Maharashtra border and further to NH-353D at Alapalli, connecting remote areas such as Bhamragarh and Laheri.
