Naxalite Couple Surrender in Dantewada, Citing Disenchantment with Maoist Ideology

A Naxalite couple with a collective Rs 7 lakh bounty surrendered in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, expressing disillusionment with Maoist ideology. Encouraged by the 'Lon Varratu' rehabilitation campaign, they turned themselves in. Bheema alias Pavan Madvi and his wife Vimla Madkam were active Maoist members with bounties for their involvement in insurgent activities.

A Naxalite couple, carrying a collective reward of Rs 7 lakh on their heads, surrendered in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, police confirmed on Wednesday.

Bheema alias Pavan Madvi (28) and his wife Vimla Madkam (25) presented themselves before senior police officials on Tuesday, expressing disappointment with the 'hollow' and 'inhuman' Maoist ideology, according to Dantewada superintendent of police Gaurav Rai.

The couple was motivated by the district police's rehabilitation effort for Naxals under the 'Lon Varratu' (return to your home/village) campaign, Rai said. Pavan Madvi, an active member of the Malanger area committee of Maoists for the past decade, carried a Rs 5 lakh bounty for his alleged involvement in attacking police teams and triggering IED blasts.

Vimla Madkam, Pavan's wife, was a member of Maoist platoon no. 31 with a Rs 2 lakh reward, Rai added. Both were provided with Rs 25,000 assistance each and will be rehabilitated as per the state government's policy. Their surrender brings the number of Naxals laying down arms in Dantewada since June 2020 to 861, including 193 with bounties, under the 'Lon Varratu' campaign.

(With inputs from agencies.)