Dantewada: Almost every day, there are reports of encounters in the Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh where the police are undoubtedly scoring success after success. The “Lone Varratu” (Return Home) Mozambique campaign has encouraged 10 Naxalites to lay down arms. These surrendered Maoists were part of the Indravati Area Committee and were extremely involved in the group’s operation.

These irresponsible acts were performed by the Naxalites, such as digging up roads, felling trees, and hoisting Naxalite banners and posters during Naxalite bandhs. Notably, this appeal is having a significant impact on the police force, namely on the Maoists. Inspired by the ‘Lone Varratu’ campaign, they are giving up on the extremism and exercising faith in democracy and the constitution.

It must be mentioned here that they succeeded inaxing these 10 Maoists during the “Lone Varratu” campaign. Interestingly, it reveals that, during this campaign, 815 Maoists surrendered and were taken back to mainstream society, including 180 people who were already under rewards. This has been particularly useful in the fight against Naxalite has been effective in the fight against Naxalite and other armed rebellion groups in the region.

The former Naxalites, as seen in the picture, were once involved in a string of disturbances. They plantedáte on the roads, dug up roads, cut trees in anticipation of road blockage and painted anti-government banners and posters during their strikes. These actions acted as threats meant to instil fear among the locals and mark the dominance of the Japanese over the locals. But what was reassuring was that the efforts of the police, who have not given up on these persons and society in general, seem to yield some results.

The campaign that the police deployed focuses more on the notion of change, pointing to the advantages of giving up a life of crime and becoming a law-abiding citizen. It promises loyalty to those who submit and a chance to pursue a legitimate life while in the face of the law. The message of the “Lone Varratu” campaign is clear: everybody has his/her role to play in a democracy and a constitutional state; there is always a way of handling a crisis without resorting to violent means.