Most prominent among the surrendered Maoists is Dandkaranya Zonal Committee Member Vimla Chandra Sidam alias Tarakka who had been involved in the Naxalism movement for the last 38 years

CM Fadnavis said that Maoist cadres are disassociated themselves from the movement as they have realised its hollow ideology

He said Maharashtra will soon become free of Naxal menace given the rise in the number of Maoists laying down their arms and the movement failing to attract recruits

The government has started the process to make Gadchrioli the "first district" by eliminating the dominance of Maoists, he said

Gadchiroli is often referred to as the last district of Maharashtra as it is on the state's eastern border

CM Fadnavis hailed the Gadchiroli police for their work against Naxalism

He said people no more support Naxalites and not a single person is now willing to join the outlawed movement which is "very significant"

CM Fadnavis said Maoists have failed to recruit even a single cadre in Gadchiroli in the last four years thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the combined efforts of Gadchiroli Police and the local administration