India’s Largest Naxal Surrender Operation: Entire Bhupathi Gang Lays Down Arms
In a major development in India’s ongoing fight against Left-Wing Extremism, more than 140 Naxal cadres belonging to the dreaded Bhupathi gang have surrendered following the surrender of their leader Bhupathi, who carried a ₹1 crore bounty on his head. These Naxals, currently based in Bijapur district, are being brought to Jagdalpur, where they are expected to formally surrender before Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on October 17. This is being described as the largest Naxal surrender in the country’s history.
Among those surrendering is Rupesh, the spokesperson of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), who played a key role in formulating Naxal strategies and issuing official statements and directives.
Just a day earlier, the dreaded Naxal commander Bhupathi, along with several top cadres, had surrendered in Maharashtra. Other senior Naxal leaders, including Basav Raju, have recently been killed in encounters. Following these developments, over 140 members of Bhupathi’s group decided to lay down arms. They had sent their proposal to senior police and security officers in Bijapur, which has been accepted.
The surrendering Naxals, who have gathered across the Indravati River at Uspari Ghat in Bijapur district, are all confirmed members of the Bhupathi faction. The group includes Rupesh, the DKSZC spokesperson, who has long been the face of Naxal communication, releasing official decisions and statements of the organization.
Given the scale of this surrender, massive security arrangements have been put in place across the region. Personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA, DRG, and other elite forces have been deployed to ensure smooth transportation of the surrendering Naxals and their weapons to Jagdalpur. The Bijapur–Jagdalpur route has been heavily guarded, with armed personnel equipped with advanced weapons stationed at every checkpoint.
In Jagdalpur, where the surrender ceremony will take place, elaborate security arrangements have been made. Following major surrenders in Maharashtra, Antagarh, and Sukma, the surrender in Bijapur marks another significant step toward the eradication of Naxal violence from the region.
Officials believe that this mass surrender will leave the Naxal organization structurally and strategically weakened. The few remaining external Naxals are expected to either flee to their native states, surrender, or be neutralized during security operations.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will attend the grand surrender ceremony in Jagdalpur on Friday, October 17, where more than 140 Naxals, led by Rupesh, will surrender along with over 100 weapons.
The Chief Minister stated,
“We will welcome them with a red carpet. This surrender is the result of the government’s policies and the developmental works being carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
The state police department is making all necessary arrangements for the official surrender announcement in Jagdalpur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Upcoming Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Chhattisgarh on the night of October 31 and will participate in the State Foundation Day celebrations on November 1.
He will also be in Raipur from November 28 to 30 to attend the Director Generals’ Conference, where top security officials from across the country will gather.
