Dhamtari District Declared Naxal-Free: 9 Wanted Naxals Surrender in Chhattisgarh

• Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district is now Naxal-free after the surrender of 9 members of the Maoist Sitanadi Area Committee, including 7 women and 2 men.
• This success is attributed to aggressive security force actions, development schemes, and rehabilitation policies, leading to a record 1,513 Naxal surrenders in Chhattisgarh in 2025.
• The surrendered Naxals cited disillusionment with their ideology, atrocities against tribals, and pressure from security forces as reasons for their surrender.
• The government's "Surrender and Rehabilitation" policy offers jobs, housing, and financial aid, encouraging Naxals to join the mainstream.
• The surrender, involving a total reward of 47 lakh rupees, also helped declare Odisha's Nuapada district Maoist-free, boosting development and peace in the region.

Why It Matters: Dhamtari district is Naxal-free, marking a major step towards a Naxal-free India by 2026.