In a major development in the fight against Left Wing Extremism, 16 Maoists, including Santosh alias Basudev Da alias Dilip, who had received a bounty of ₹15 lakh, surrendered before the Jharkhand Police in Ranchi.
According to data released by Jharkhand Police Headquarters, six of the 16 surrendered Maoists received rewards worth ₹39 lakh. The group includes one Regional Committee Member (RCM), one Zonal Committee Member (ZCM), two Sub-Zonal Committee Members (SZCMs) and two Area Committee Members (ACMs). Many women cadres laid down arms.
VIDEO | Ranchi, Jharkhand: As many as 16 Maoists, including Santosh alias Basudev Da alias Dilip, who was carrying a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head, surrendered before police.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 28, 2026
Of the 16 Maoists, six carry a total bounty of Rs 39 lakh. They include a regional committee member,… pic.twitter.com/euFK8DUBTK
The surrender is viewed as a major success for the state police’s ongoing anti-Naxal operations and rehabilitation efforts aimed at encouraging insurgents to return to the mainstream.
Santosh alias Basudev Da alias Dilip, one of the most prominent members of the group, received a reward of ₹15 lakh for information leading to his capture. His surrender can be a big boost in the security operations in Maoist-affected areas of Jharkhand.
Police officials said the surrender indicates increasing confidence among insurgents in the government's rehabilitation and surrender policies. Maoist cadres have always been told to quit violence and join the democratic process, and that rehabilitation, vocational training and support for reintegration into society are available to them.
The presence of senior committee members among those surrendering is particularly important, because they were believed to have been in charge of the Maoist organizational structure. Security agencies believe such developments could weaken the operational capabilities of extremist groups in the region.
Women Maoists were also in the group, showing that participation across various ranks in the insurgent organization was widespread. All surrendered cadres will be processed under the state's surrender and rehabilitation policy after completing legal formalities, officials say.
Jharkhand has been one of the states most affected by Left Wing Extremism for years. But a continuous improvement in security, better infrastructure and welfare facilities has been a factor in the decrease of Maoist activity in many districts.
The Jharkhand Police, alongside the central security forces, have intensified operations against Maoist groups and are providing rehabilitation for those who want to surrender. The enforcement-development alliance has brought about good results.
Authorities reiterated their appeal to other Maoist cadres who are still active in remote forested areas to surrender peacefully and take advantage of government rehabilitation schemes. Violence only hinders development and affects local communities, they stressed.
The surrender of 16 Maoists, particularly senior members with huge cash rewards, will help improve efforts to control Left Wing Extremism in Jharkhand and promote long-term peace and development in affected areas.
