Surrendered Naxalites Hold Tricolour On Independence Day In MP's Balaghat

Bhopal: More than 20 surrendered Naxalites participated in Independence Day celebrations in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday, holding the Tricolour for the first time with respect and honour. The former insurgents, who surrendered over the past year under the state's rehabilitation policy, are currently residing in a camp in Balaghat under police protection. Most are originally from Chhattisgarh.

The group includes 13 Naxalites who surrendered in the final phase of operations. Sunita, a female Naxalite with a reward of ₹14 lakh on her head, surrendered on November 1, 2025. On December 7, 2025, Kabir alias Surendra Soma, Rakesh Odi alias Manish, and eight other Naxalites—including four women—also laid down their arms. All were members of the Bhoramdev Area Committee.

According to ADG K P Venketshwar Rao, the surrendered Naxalites sang the national anthem while holding the flag, marking their first Independence Day celebration post-surrender. The event underscores Madhya Pradesh's achievement of Naxal-free status in December 2025.