Raipur: “Power flows from the barrel of the gun”, they had believed for so long. Having given up their guns, about 120 surrendered Maoists — including a former Central Committee Member (CCM) of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) — got a feel of what democracy is all about during a visit to the newly built Vidhan Sabha in New Raipur on Friday.
This is part of the Chhattisgarh government’s rehabilitation efforts to integrate them into the democratic system.
Former CCM Takkalappalli Vasudeva Rao, alias Ashanna alias Rupesh, 59, known as the Maoists’ bombmaker and allegedly involved in major attacks, including the 2003 assassination attempt on Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, was among the visitors, as reported by The Indian Express.
Barely a month remains for the Match 31 deadline to end Maoist insurgency in the country and security forces have intensified operations against the few Naxalites who have refused to join the mainstream.
Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai welcomed them with a traditional ‘Jai Johar’ greeting and promised them safety, dignity, and rehabilitation.
“It’s a matter of pride for us as the good rehabilitation policy we had brought has shown results. Over 2,500 Maoists have surrendered. It is a special day today as 120 Maoists have come to Vidhan Sabha and saw the proceedings and took photos with our ministers and DGP. We had a conversation with them, they are most welcome here and we will think about their future. They (surrendered Maoists) looked very happy,” the CM said.
State home minister Vijay Sharma highlighted that the former rebels do not like to be associated with the word “surrender”.
“In our entire process we have not used the word surrender but rehabilitated those who chose to return to the mainstream. They now believe in the Indian constitution and democratic processes and it’s a historic day because they (Maoists) have come to the temple of democracy and witnessed democratic process and now they have completely integrated into democracy,” he said.
Rupesh expressed his thanks at this gesture and said: “I thank the government for giving all of us the opportunity to visit the Vidhan Sabha and showing respect. We want to work for the people and will put this experience to use”.
He said that there is “nothing special” about his new life after laying down arms.
“We are still here as per the rehabilitation policy. We have not gone outside. I want to do a lot of things. Let’s see what happens in the future,” Rupesh said.
“I’m in politics from the beginning. Have done politics and still I am in politics,” he said when asked if he would join politics.
Apart from Rupesh, the group included 54 women, five former members of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), seven former Divisional Committee members, 33 former Area Committee members, and 84 ex-party members of the outlawed party.
Describing the occasion as “rare and historic”, the Chair of the Assembly welcomed the former Maoists and congratulated them for rejoining the democratic mainstream and accepting the Constitution.
Sharma had also hosted a dinner for the rehabilitation group at his residence in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, on Thursday night.
Rupesh, along with 209 Maoists from Abujhmad, had surrendered before Bastar Police in October 2025, returning 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, 17 Self Loading Rifles (SLR), and 36 .303 guns.
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