Twelve hardcore Naxalites, carrying a collective reward of more than one crore rupees laid down their arms and surrendered before the security forces yesterday in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Gadchiroli district of the state.
Mr Fadnavis visited remote Kawande village in the district, located on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, becoming the first Chief Minister to enter this remote Naxal-affected region.
During the visit, 12 dreaded ultras laid down their weapons and surrendered before the Gadchiroli district administration, police and security forces. The Chief Minister presented them with a copy of the Constitution.
Talking to reporters on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, those laying down arms want to join the mainstream and be loyal to the country and the Constitution. He said, 28 Maoists had been killed, 31 arrested and 44 surrendered in the state in past 18 months, which is a record.
Asserting that Naxalism will be eliminated by March next year, Mr Fadnavis said, there are very few active Naxals in Maharashtra. He said, it is a message to the remaining rebels to surrender or face action, adding that they will be either arrested or neutralised.
The Chief Minister said, if they surrender, they will be rehabilitated as per government policy. Mr Fadnavis also attended the mass wedding of 13 former Naxalites. Expressing happiness over the ceremony, he said, they are starting their lives afresh after struggling in the jungles with weapons.
Besides reviewing development work in the district, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the plans to transform Gadchiroli into a steel city while preserving its natural resources, signalling a strong shift from insurgency to inclusive development.
