Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that the surrender of senior Naxalite Bhupathi and 60 other cadres marks the "beginning of the end of the Naxal movement" in Maharashtra. Addressing a gathering in Gadchiroli district after accepting the surrender of senior Naxalite Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Bhupathi, and 60 other cadres, the Chief Minister said he was proud that Gadchiroli was leading the fight against the outlawed CPI (Maoist).
Bhupathi, who carried a bounty of ₹6 crore, was considered one of the most influential strategists in the Maoist organisation and had long supervised platoon operations along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. The surrendering Naxalites handed over 54 weapons, including seven AK-47s and nine INSAS rifles.
Fadnavis asserted that the Naxalites have lost the ideological war, and that equality and justice can only be achieved by joining the mainstream and adhering to the Indian Constitution.
"It is a big thing in the history of the country. Bhupathi's surrender is the start of the end of the Naxal movement in Maharashtra. This will pave the way for the demise of the so-called "red corridor" stretching into Chhattisgarh and Telangana," said Fadnavis. He expressed belief that over 100 cadres will surrender in Chhattisgarh and Telangana in the coming days.
The Chief Minister issued a stark warning to the few remaining Naxalites: they should surrender or face police action. He lauded the bravery of the Gadchiroli police but cautioned them against complacency, noting that in the final stages of such a movement, the remaining elements often attempt one last desperate attack.
Fadnavis assured that those who have surrendered will be rehabilitated with dignity. He pointed to a massive shift in the region's focus, noting that for over 40 years, Gadchiroli had witnessed Maoist violence and been far removed from development.
He announced that the district is now becoming a steel hub, attracting around ₹3 lakh crore of investment. Fadnavis guaranteed that in the next five to seven years, over one lakh local residents in Gadchiroli and adjoining Chandrapur will be employed within the district. He has instructed investors to prioritise locals for 95 per cent of the jobs.
He concluded by crediting the current administration for giving Naxalites only two options: "to either surrender and join the mainstream or face the consequences," and declared that Gadchiroli, once known as the "last district of Maharashtra," is progressing towards becoming the "first district" of the state.
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