In another major setback for the Maoist movement, senior woman commander Geeta, also known as Kamli Salam, surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarh’s Kondagaon district on Saturday. Her surrender came just a day after the state saw its largest ever mass surrender, where 210 Naxalites, including top leaders, gave up arms in Jagdalpur — a clear sign of the growing weakness in the Maoist ranks.
Woman Commander With Rs 5 Lakh Bounty Gives Up Arms
Geeta served as the Tailor Team Commander in the Maoists’ East Bastar Division and had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh announced by the Chhattisgarh government. She surrendered before Superintendent of Police Akshay Kumar, stating that she had lost faith in the Maoist ideology. She said she was encouraged by the recent wave of surrenders across the Bastar region and wanted to return to a peaceful life.
Chhattisgarh Witnesses Largest Maoist Surrender
The Jagdalpur surrender was the biggest in the state’s history, with 210 Maoists, including a Central Committee member and four Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee leaders, handing over 153 weapons such as AK-47 rifles and grenade launchers. The event was attended by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who said it reflected the state government’s focus on “trust, dialogue, and development instead of violence.”
Shift in Maoist Movement and Government Policy
Under the Chhattisgarh Naxalism Eradication Policy, Geeta received an immediate cash incentive of Rs 50,000 and will be provided with further rehabilitation support. Officials said her return will be supported through programs that help former Maoists rebuild their lives.
Authorities said her surrender shows the growing collapse of Maoist influence in the region. In just three days, 238 Naxalites have surrendered across Chhattisgarh, showing a major change in the ground situation. Security officials believe this trend could be a key turning point in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism. With continued security pressure and rehabilitation programs, Geeta’s decision to join the mainstream is seen as a strong example of change and hope for others still in the forests of Bastar.
