A top woman Maoist carrying a reward of Rs 17 lakh on her head surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarh’s Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai (KCG) district on Thursday, officials said.
Kamla Sodi (30) had been active in the Maoist-affected Maaad division of Bastar and the Madhya Pradesh–Maharashtra–Chhattisgarh (MMC) zone of the outlawed CPI (Maoist).
KCG Superintendent of Police Lakshya Sharma told PTI that she laid down arms after being “impressed with the state government’s new surrender and rehabilitation policy.”
Located about 90 km from the state capital Raipur, KCG shares its border with Madhya Pradesh. The district lies on central-west of Chhattisgarh state.
Who is Kamla Sodi?
A native of Aarlampalli village in Sukma district, Kamla Sodi spent nearly 14 years with the Maoist organisation.
Police said that during this period, she was deeply involved in the group’s organisational and armed operations — handling recruitment drives, propaganda work, and planning ambushes on security forces.
Sodi, a hardcore member of the outfit’s military wing, was part of a unit commanded by MMC zone leader Ramdar.
Her name appeared on the wanted lists of police in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, who had jointly announced a Rs 17 lakh reward for her capture.
Why Did She Surrender?
According to officials, Sodi’s decision reflects the impact of sustained security operations and rapid development in remote areas. Expanding road networks, improved transport, and access to water and electricity have significantly changed life in villages once dominated by Naxalites.
“The growing trust among villagers in the government’s welfare schemes, and public outreach and dialogue programs under community policing,” have also played a crucial role, KCG SP Lakshya Sharma said.
Inspired by these changes, Sodi chose to “abandon the path of violence and return to the mainstream,” the official added.
The surrendered Maoist has received an immediate relief of Rs 50,000, while additional benefits under the Rehabilitation Policy-2025 are being processed.
Wider Trend of Surrenders
Sodi’s surrender follows a wave of similar actions across central India. Nearly 300 Naxalites laid down arms in Chhattisgarh last month, while senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi and 60 cadres surrendered in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district.
The Union government has set an ambitious target to completely eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 2026.
Earlier last month, Union Home minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the government’s aim to eliminate Left-wing extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026 and urged the remaining Maoist operatives to abandon violence and surrender at the earliest.