Dantewada (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 5 (HBTV): A female Naxalite carrying a bounty of INR 25 lakh was killed during an encounter with security forces in Dantewada district on Monday. An INSAS rifle, ammunition, and other items of daily use were found from the site, officials said.

The encounter occurred during an anti-Maoist operation conducted by security forces under the District Reserve Guard (DRG) in the border villages of Nelgoda, Akeli, and Belnar, located between the Geedam police station area of Dantewada district and Bhairamgarh police station area of Bijapur.

The deceased was identified as Renuka, also known by her aliases Banu, Chaite, and Saraswati. A resident of Kadvendi district in Warangal, she was shot in the exchange of fire that began at 9 a.m.

On March 30, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced the surrender of 50 Naxalites in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, assuring them of rehabilitation and integration into the mainstream.

‘It is a matter of great joy that 50 Naxalites in Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) surrendered, abandoning the path of violence. I welcome those who leave violence and weapons and join the mainstream of development. Modi ji’s policy is clear that any Naxalite who leaves weapons and adopts the path of development will be rehabilitated and connected to the mainstream,’ Shah wrote on X.

He also appealed to remaining Naxalites to surrender, asserting that Naxalism would be eradicated by March 2026.

‘I once again appeal to the rest of the people to give up arms and join the mainstream. After March 31, 2026, Naxalism will become history in the country, this is our resolution,’ he said.

On Saturday, 15 Naxalites surrendered before Dantewada police. Superintendent of Police Smruthik Rajanala confirmed the surrender and said they would receive all benefits under the state government's rehabilitation policy.

‘Fifteen Naxalites have surrendered in front of the Dantewada police today... All the benefits of the state government will be given to all these 15 Naxalites who have surrendered today,’ Rajanala said.

Earlier, on Wednesday, nine Naxals surrendered in Sukma in the presence of Superintendent of Police Kiran Gangaram Chavan.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday congratulated security forces for neutralising 16 Naxalites and recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition in a major encounter in the Kerlapal area of Sukma district.

(ANI)