Bastar Police Adopt New Strategy in Maoist Fight: Engaging with Families of Militants

The Bastar Police have launched a new initiative called ‘Poona Margham’ (New Path) to combat Maoist insurgency by engaging with families of active cadres and encouraging them to surrender. As part of the state and central government’s anti-Maoist push, the programme includes outreach through surrendered Maoists in the DRG and Bastar Fighters. The initiative promotes peace through community engagement, skill training, self-employment, counselling, and cultural reintegration. It aims to show cadres that the Maoist movement is ending and urges them to join the mainstream. Since December 2023, over 400 Maoists, 38 security personnel, and 97 civilians have been killed.