Two Maoist cadres surrender in ASR district

Two Maoist cadres from the Maad Divisional Committee (DVC) area of Chhattisgarh surrendered before the Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district police on Thursday.

Police said Kaditi Hidme, also known as Anju and Karuna, and Badse Bheema, alias Maneesh, laid down arms voluntarily before Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar.

Hidme was identified as a Divisional Committee Member (DCM), while Bheema was described as a PPCM/Area Committee Member (ACM). Both had been active in the Maad DVC region.

Officials said Hidme was allegedly involved in three exchanges of fire with security forces. Bheema was linked to one such incident.

According to police sources, Hidme joined the Maoist movement in 2010 through the Balala Sangham. She later became a Dalam Member and was transferred to the Maad DVC military company in 2012. Between 2017 and 2019, she was attached to a doctors’ team operating in the area. She was promoted as an Area Committee Member in 2020 and elevated to Divisional Committee Member rank in 2024.

Bheema reportedly joined as a militia member in 2018 and was promoted to Dalam Member/Party Member in 2019. He worked in the Maad DVC area until November 2024 and was later promoted as an Area Committee Member. He was subsequently attached to Military Company No. 1.

Officials attributed the surrender to intensified police operations, the setting up of new police camps in Maoist-affected areas, declining public support for the Maoist movement, and growing awareness of government rehabilitation measures.

Mr Bardar said the surrendered cadres would be extended rehabilitation benefits as per policy. He appealed to other Maoist members to give up violence and join the mainstream.

Police said further procedures related to surrender and rehabilitation are under way.