Balaghat Naxal-Free: Deadly Caches Found, Surrendered Naxals Face FIRs

• Balaghat declared Naxal-free after 35 years, with 13 Naxals surrendering this year, ahead of the March 2026 deadline.
• Police recovered multiple caches of deadly weapons, explosives, and cash based on information from surrendered Naxals.
• A recent large cache in Duglai forests yielded detonators, gelatin rods, ANFO, wires, and other explosive materials.
• Search operations continue in Balaghat's forests, considered former Naxal safe zones, to sanitize areas and find more buried items.
• Three FIRs registered against surrendered Naxals under Arms Act, UAPA, and Explosives Act, sparking debate from a former MP.

Why It Matters: Balaghat is Naxal-free, but hidden explosive caches and legal actions against surrendered Naxals pose new challenges.