Surrendered Naxalites hold Tricolour for first time in MP’s Balaghat

Over 20 Naxalites who surrendered in Madhya Pradesh held the Tricolour for the first time during Independence Day celebrations in Balaghat. They also sang the national anthem. The surrendered militants are living in a police-protected camp under a rehabilitation policy, and most are natives of Chhattisgarh.

According to the Freepress Journal, the 13 Naxalites housed in the camp surrendered between November and December 2025. Among them was Sunita, a female Naxalite with a Rs 14 lakh reward. All were members of the Bhoramdev Area Committee.

ADG KP Venketshwar Rao said this was the first time they celebrated Independence Day after surrender. In nearby villages of Mandla, Balaghat and Dindori, residents hoisted the Tricolour without fear after MP was declared Naxal-free in December 2025. Some villages had not celebrated national festivals for 35 years.