Dreaded woman Maoist with ₹17 lakh bounty surrenders in Chhattisgarh

A hardcore woman Maoist carrying a reward of ₹ 17 lakh surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarh’s Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai (KCG) district on Thursday, November 6, 2025, an official said.

KCG Superintendent of Police Lakshya Sharma said Kamla Sodi (30) was active in Bastar’s Maaad division and outlawed CPI (Maoist) Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh (MMC) region. PTI.

He said he surrendered after being impressed by the state government’s new surrender and rehabilitation policy.

Sharing a border with Madhya Pradesh, KCG is located 90 km from Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh.

During her 14-year relationship with the illegal organization, Ms. Sodi engaged in organizing and violent activities, including recruitment, propaganda and planning attacks against security forces, the official said.

He was a staunch member of the outfit’s military wing and was part of the team led by MMC district commander Ramdar. He said he was wanted by police in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which jointly announced a reward of ₹ 17 lakh on his arrest.

Ms. Sodi, who hails from Aarlampalli village in Sukma district, was active in the border areas of three states.

The official said Ms. Sodi’s surrender was a direct result of the continuous operations of the security forces and the development work carried out in rural areas, including the expansion of roads and transport facilities.

He said this was also due to the availability of water and electricity networks, increased trust among villagers in government welfare programs and public outreach and dialogue programs under community policing.

Inspired by these efforts, Ms. Sodi decided to abandon the path of violence and return to the mainstream, the official said.

He added that an incentive of ₹ 50,000 was provided to him immediately and other benefits under the Rehabilitation Policy-2025 were also being processed.

While around 300 Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh last month, senior Maoist Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Bhupathi, and 60 other cadres laid down their arms in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

The Center has decided to eliminate Maoism from the country by March 2026.