51 Naxalites with Rs 1.61 crore bounty surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma, Bijapur
India Today
As many as 51 Naxalites carrying a collective bounty of Rs 1.61 crore surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division under the Puna Margem rehabilitation campaign.
As many as 51 Naxalites carrying a collective bounty of Rs 1.61 crore surrendered before the police on February 7, 2026, in two districts of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division, marking a major success for security forces in the region.
Of the total, 21 Naxalites surrendered in Sukma district, while 30 Maoist cadres laid down arms in neighbouring Bijapur under the “Puna Margem – Rehabilitation to Renewal” campaign, a joint rehabilitation initiative of the Central and State governments.
Senior police officials said the surrendered cadres included 24 women, many of whom were holding active and important positions in the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation.
In Sukma, the surrender took place before Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam and Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan, where the cadres formally joined the national mainstream holding the Tricolour and the Constitution. Sundarraj said the 21 active Maoist cadres had decided to abandon the path of violence and return to the mainstream, adding that the development clearly indicated that Naxalism was now in its final phase.
Police said the surrendered cadres in Sukma belonged to the Darbha division, South Bastar division and the Kalahandi–Kandhamal–Boudh–Nayagarh division of Odisha. Among them were three Divisional Committee Members — Sodhi Mahesh, Podiyam Raju and Karam Mamta — each carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh. Five Area Committee Members carried a bounty of 5 lakh each, while the remaining cadres were active party members operating in different platoons and area committees. The total reward on the 21 cadres stood at 76 lakh, including 14 women.
During the surrender in Sukma, the cadres deposited a significant cache of weapons and explosives, including three AK-47 rifles with eight magazines and 120 rounds, two SLR rifles with four magazines and 40 rounds, one INSAS rifle with 50 rounds, three Barrel Grenade Launchers with 20 rounds, five single-shot guns, gelatin sticks, detonators and cordex wire.
For years, Ram Setu has been invoked as "national heritage" in political discourse. But an RTI response reveals that, in official records, its status remains "nil".
Two LPG tankers tracked by India Today's OSINT team have taken the new route via Larak-Qeshm to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
What began as an abuse complaint has snowballed into a massive scandal involving rape allegations, hidden camera evidence, fraud and even murder claims, as more victims come forward against a Nashik godman.
From April 2026, the Delhi government is planning to recover over Rs 38,000 crore in dues to discoms.
The bill could increase total Lok Sabha seats to 816, reserving 273 for women, marking a major push to enhance female representation in Parliament based on the 2011 census.
Students told the Mahila Congress that the LPG shortage had disrupted their daily meals. They said the hostel administration had altered the menu, reduced one meal and discontinued evening tea in recent days.
India's consumer courts promise quick justice, but rising backlogs and staff shortages tell a different story. As cases pile up, the gap between what the system offers and what it delivers is widening.
A second patient died within 72 hours at RG Kar Hospital, with his family alleging that a lack of stretcher and basic facilities forced the critically ill man to walk 100 metres, leading to his death.
As Parliament prepares to bring amendments to the Transgender Act, activists warn the proposed changes risk rolling back years of hard-won rights.
A high-speed boat crash in the Maldives has left two Indians missing, including a celebrated rally figure, even as Gautam Singhania returns home. Search teams continue efforts amid mounting concern and unanswered questions.
A prominent seer, Pranavananda Swamiji, alleged that mutts backing Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over the top post were denied any allocation in the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He reiterated his support for Shivakumar to take over as the chief minister.
India's original Dhurandhar, Ravindra Kaushik, rose from acting at college theatres, to infiltrating the Pakistan Army as a RAW Agent. He provided critical intelligence on Pakistani troop movements and the country's nuclear programme, but died a lonely death after his betrayal and subsequent capture by the ISI.