Gadchiroli, known for its extensive forested and remote areas, has long seen locals depend on traditional agriculture and hunting for their livelihoods. Many residents keep firearms for hunting and protection against wild animals, often inherited from previous generations
A total of 365 firearms have been surrendered by citizens across the district. PIC VIA VINOD KUMAR MENON
Residents of the Wangeturi area have voluntarily surrendered a total of 26 firearms and 11 rifles to Gadchiroli Police in Maharashtra, in a significant civic initiative aimed at reducing the circulation of weapons in the district.
Gadchiroli, known for its extensive forested and remote areas, has long seen locals depend on traditional agriculture and hunting for their livelihoods. Many residents keep firearms for hunting and protection against wild animals, often inherited from previous generations.
In the past, Maoist groups attempted to exploit these circumstances to recruit locals into their movement. However, officials note that no youth from Gadchiroli has joined the Maoist ranks in the past five years, and only a few armed Maoists remain in the district.
Gadchiroli's Superintendent of Police, Neelotpal, had appealed to residents to voluntarily hand over firearms at their nearest police stations. Responding positively, residents from the remote areas of Mauja Hindur, Nainwadi, and Todgatta surrendered the weapons at Wangeturi Police Station. The operation was led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Headri, Yogesh Ranjankar, along with other personnel and CRPF officers.
Over the years, such voluntary surrenders have been steadily increasing, with 73 firearms handed over to the police in 2022, 46 in 2023, 26 in 2024, and 29 so far in 2025. Till date, a total of 365 firearms have been surrendered by residents across the district.
Authorities say this trend reflects growing trust between locals and the police and indicates a steady decline of Maoist influence in the region. The initiative is also helping residents overcome the fear previously associated with the Maoist presence.
Neelotpal commended the officers and personnel involved in the initiative and praised citizens for voluntarily surrendering their firearms. Apart from Neelotpal and Rajankar, Additional Superintendents of Police M Ramesh (Campaign), Satya Sai Kartik (Aheri/Pranahita), and Gokul Raj (Administration) guided the operation.
Central committee member among 210 Maoists to surrender in Chhattisgarh
As many as 210 Maoist cadres, including one central committee member, surrendered before authorities in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur on Friday, making it the largest mass surrender in the history of anti-Maoist operations in the state.
With this, a total of 238 Maoists have quit the path of violence and joined the mainstream in the state in the past three days, as 28 others had surrendered on Wednesday. Hailing the development, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said it was a historic day not only for Bastar but for Chhattisgarh and the entire nation.
The surrendered Maoists handed over 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 self-loading rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, an INSAS LMG (light machine gun), 36 .303 rifles, four carbines, and 11 barrel grenade launchers (BGL), a police officer said.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
