Raipur, Oct 26 : 32 Maoists have surrendered at Dantewada in Bastar division. The surrendered Maoists were influenced by the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign being carried out by the police.

 

In Chhattisgarh's Dantewada, 32 Maoists have surrendered, six out of whom were carrying rewards worth Rs 1 lakh on their head for being caught. Dantewada SP Abhishek Pallava said, the surrendered Maoists were influenced by the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign being carried out by the police in the district. 'Lon Varratu' translates to 'Return Home' in the local tribal dialect Gondi.

 

According to Pallava, around 150 Maoists have surrendered in the past four months under the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign until now. The police have targeted around 50 hypersensitive Maoist-affected villages under this campaign. Pamphlets have been put up in these villages with an appeal to surrender.

 

These surrendered maoists will be provided them with Rs 10,000 as immediate assistance. Other facilities under Chhattisgarh Surrender and Rehabilitation policy will also be followed.

 

Despite of the success of the campaign, the left winged activists have raised questions on this campaign and are claiming that innocent tribals are being trapped between the Chhattisgarh Police, other paramilitary security forces and the Maoists.