Naxalite leader carrying ₹6 crore bounty surrenders in presence of Chief Minister !

Gadchiroli on the path to becoming Maharashtra’s ‘number one district’! – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Naxalite Sonu Upakhya Bhupati (left) surrendering in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupati (right)

Gadchiroli – On 15 October, a top Naxalite leader, Sonu alias Bhupati, who carried a bounty of ₹6 crore, surrendered along with 60 other Naxalites. In a programme held here, they handed over their weapons to the Chief Minister, who presented them with copies of the Constitution.

Maoist leader with ₹6 crore bounty surrenders in Gadchiroli

🔫 Top Naxal Sonu alias Bhupathi and 60 cadres surrendered arms before CM Devendra Fadnavis on Oct 15

📘 CM handed them copies of the Constitution and praised police and CAPF for their role in defeating Naxalism

🌿… pic.twitter.com/pInYnIGfMU

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) October 15, 2025

At this time, Fadnavis said,

Speaking on the occasion, Devendra Fadnavis said that Gadchiroli was once known as Maharashtra’s most backward district, but the situation has now changed. “Officers now request to be posted in Gadchiroli. The district is progressing towards becoming Maharashtra’s number one district,” he remarked.

इतिहासात प्रथमच मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांच्या समक्ष माओवाद्यांचे एवढ्या मोठया प्रमाणात समर्पण!

मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांच्या समक्ष आज स्वयंचलित हत्यारांसह 61 वरिष्ठ माओवाद्यांनी गडचिरोली येथे आत्मसमर्पण केले. यावेळी मुख्यमंत्री फडणवीस यांच्या हस्ते लोकशाही… pic.twitter.com/ti4pcuKlnF

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) October 15, 2025

The Chief Minister said the Government was striving to protect the region’s water, land, and forests. A target has been set to plant five crore trees in the district, of which forty lakh have already been planted. He further stated that Gadchiroli is emerging as a ‘steel hub’ and appealed that 95 per cent of the employment opportunities there should be given to the local youth.

Fadnavis also congratulated the police and Central Armed Police Forces for their efforts and cautioned them to remain alert, saying that elements of the Naxalite movement could attempt fresh attacks within the next two years.