Jagdalpur, 22 February (H.S.): , In a seismic development for counter-insurgency efforts, Naxalite organization Politburo member and Central Committee figure Devji—carrying a ₹25 lakh bounty—surrendered alongside 16 fellow insurgents on Sunday.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma confirmed the capitulation, asserting that authorities are intensifying operations to secure the surrender of all remaining Naxalites imminently.

Devji, originally from Karimnagar district, had been deeply entrenched in the outfit's central operations and was elevated to General Secretary merely eight months prior.

The surrendering Naxal cadres are slated for formal presentation within the next one to two days.Amid relentless encounters and high-profile surrenders, the state government—working in tandem with security forces—aims to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, with the insurgency now appearing to enter its terminal phase.

Deputy CM Sharma highlighted Devji's stature as the most significant cadre post Basavaraju's neutralization in an encounter, noting his surrender in Telangana while efforts continue to reintegrate all lingering insurgents into the mainstream.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar