Final Appeal to Last Standing Rebels by Woman Ex-Maoist Nagpur: A surrendered Maoist woman commander, Sangeeta Usendi, made an emotional appeal to remaining guerrillas in Gadchiroli on Saturday, urging them to abandon their armed struggle and embrace the Constitution. Usendi, wife of former Maoist leader Giridhar, called on the rebels to "not wander aimlessly in the jungle" and instead "join the mainstream" for a dignified life. Her message emphasized the futility of violence, stating that it only plunges families into darkness. Before her surrender, Usendi carried a bounty of Rs 16 lakh declared by Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh governments. Reflecting on her 22 years in the jungle, Usendi said, "I realized that violence achieves nothing. It only plunges your life and your family into darkness." She added, "That is why I chose the constitutional path." Her appeal came as authorities intensified efforts to end the decades-long Maoist insurgency, with only six hardened rebels remaining in the region. Usendi, known as Lalita, was a divisional vice-committee member in the Bhamragad Local Organisational Squad of the Maoists. She surrendered in June 2024 alongside her husband, Giridhar, who had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh. The couple laid down their arms in Gadchiroli before police, with then deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis present. The government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy offers incentives such as financial aid (4–8.5 lakh per person), Aadhaar and PAN registration, bank accounts, housing support, education for children, vocational training, employment, and security. Over 123 Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli since 2025, bringing the total under the policy to nearly 800. The state’s push for surrender has significantly reduced the Maoist presence in Gadchiroli.#devendra_fadnavis #amit_shah #gadchiroli #sangeeta_usendi #giridhar
