The comment examines how surrendered CPI (Maoist) cadres are rebuilding their lives through personal initiative, often before formal rehabilitation benefits arrive. Examples include former cadres completing school examinations, pursuing nursing and law, seeking technical training, starting a tractor-based livelihood and managing family cattle. It also describes senior leader Mallojula Venugopal’s appointment at Gondwana University to study regional development gaps and promote awareness of forest rights. These experiences suggest that education, vocational opportunities, financial support and recognition of former cadres’ skills can aid reintegration. The author argues that such initiatives should be encouraged and supported to help more former Maoists lead peaceful, dignified lives.
Leaders and cadres of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), commonly referred to as Maoists, have surrendered in large numbers during 2025 and 2026. Some have already begun to build new lives after abandoning violence and handing over their weapons to the authorities at widely publicised events. They now seek peaceful and meaningful lives.
To encourage surrenders, rehabilitation and reintegration into the mainstream, the Union Government has issued broad guidelines, leaving State governments to frame their own policies. With some variation, these include immediate cash assistance for subsistence; rewards based on the weapons and ammunition surrendered; skills training to support gainful employment; assistance with housing or land; and stipends for tuition fees and living expenses. However, these benefits can take time to materialise because of bureaucratic procedures.
Alongside these schemes, accounts are emerging of surrendered cadres who have taken the initiative to rebuild their lives without waiting for government assistance. They have found their own ways forward. Two senior leaders, too, have shown such self-motivation.
These former cadres have recognised that they possess strengths beyond their experience as guerrilla fighters. Perhaps life underground helped develop their resilience and confidence. Motivated by these qualities, seven passed the Class 10 examination through the Open School System in September 2026, some with first-class results. Sunil, a divisional committee member who operated mainly in Odisha—in Nayagarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Balangir, Koraput and Malkangiri—surrendered in Gariaband, neighbouring Chhattisgarh. He realised that educational qualifications could lead to better, more secure employment, including potentially in government service, for which a Class 10 qualification is often a prerequisite. He encouraged six others to follow his example. Significantly, no senior leader guided him in choosing this new path.
In an earlier article on the CPS website, the author suggested that surrendered Maoists could find work in the health sector. One former cadre, known as ‘Dr Champa’, has independently set herself a similar goal. Having passed Class 10, she is preparing to complete Class 12 and hopes to become a nurse at a local hospital.
Several surrendered cadres served in the medical teams attached to Maoist squads. Local people affectionately refer to them as ‘doctors’. They have basic experience of providing medicines for ailments such as malaria and common flu, as well as stitching and dressing wounds. They should be encouraged to follow Champa’s example by obtaining recognised qualifications in nursing. Those who wish to continue studying could also be supported in pursuing further medical education. These individuals have shown determination and resilience, surviving the hardships of underground life and armed encounters with security forces.
In Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, Bheemanna Kudmeth, a former member of the Aheri dalam, and a relative jointly secured a bank loan after his surrender and bought a tractor. During the agricultural season, they can earn money by ploughing local farms. At other times, they can use it to transport goods or provide local transport, helping support their family.
Tathi Kamala, a disciplined cadre and capable guerrilla fighter in Gadchiroli, spent time in a government camp for surrendered Maoists before returning to her home in Chhattisgarh. She is now looking after her family’s cattle. Her question to the Maoist leadership is pointed: ‘You have told me many ideal things; can you now assure me that my sacrifices will not go to waste and that I can lead a meaningful, peaceful and dignified life?’ With adequate financial support, she could buy more cattle and establish a small dairy farm.
Dula Madkam, from Chhattisgarh, surrendered in Mulugu in neighbouring Telangana. While working as a daily-wage labourer, he passed the Class 10 examination and hopes to complete Class 12. Former cadres such as him could be trained in technical skills at local polytechnics, enabling them to qualify as skilled technicians and earn better incomes.
Mallojula Venugopal, alias Sonu, a Polit Bureau member, surrendered in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, in October 2025. In August 2026, he took the initiative to share his extensive experience. His rise from an ordinary cadre to a regional leader, and eventually to the Central Committee and its core body, the Polit Bureau, was built on his work in Gadchiroli—the Gondwana region—and his engagement with the Gonds.
At his own initiative, Venugopal was formally interviewed and appointed in September as Coordinator at Gondwana University. His role is to study development gaps in the region, monitor the implementation of government programmes and raise awareness among Adivasi communities about forest rights.
His appointment quickly drew opposition from local political leaders and other interests. Nevertheless, neither he nor the University backed down. Bhupathi told the author: ‘I have addressed a few people already and I am looking forward to reaching out to more in the weeks ahead. I shall do my best to help them.’
Senior Maoist leader and Central Committee member Tippiri Tirupathi, alias Devji, surrendered in March 2026. He was one of two senior leaders to surrender. He had gone underground shortly before completing his studies, having missed one paper in a public examination. At his request, he was permitted to sit the paper and complete the course. Later, in the summer of 2026, he qualified in the common law entrance examination and became eligible to study law at Osmania University in Hyderabad.
These are examples of personal initiative rather than government-led interventions. As part of the reintegration process, more surrendered cadres should be encouraged and supported to obtain education, secure gainful employment and build peaceful, dignified and meaningful lives.
The experiences of surrendered Maoists demonstrate that abandoning armed struggle is not merely an end to violence but an opportunity to rebuild lives with dignity, purpose and hope. From pursuing education and professional qualifications to establishing livelihoods and contributing to regional development, these individuals have shown initiative, determination and abilities that extend far beyond their former roles as guerrilla fighters. Their efforts also underline the limitations of relying solely on formal rehabilitation schemes, which may be delayed by bureaucratic procedures. The government and State administrations must therefore recognise and nurture such self-driven initiatives through timely financial assistance, education, vocational training and meaningful employment opportunities. Ultimately, successful reintegration requires more than surrendering weapons; it demands creating the conditions in which former cadres can lead peaceful, productive and dignified lives, while encouraging others still in the underground to choose the same path.
Dr. P V Ramana is an independent analyst. He is in the editorial board of Journal of Peace Studies, Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. The views are this own.
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