The Bastar police have embarked on a novel approach to tackle the Maoist menace in the region. By engaging with the families of Maoist cadres, the police aim to persuade them to surrender and reintegrate into society. This initiative is a significant departure from the traditional methods of combating insurgency, which often rely on military might. The police believe that by building trust with the families, they can create an environment conducive to the Maoists’ surrender. The families, in turn, can play a crucial role in convincing their loved ones to lay down arms and join the mainstream. The police have identified over 100 families of Maoist cadres and are working to establish communication with them. The families are being provided with assistance, such as education and healthcare, to improve their socio-economic conditions. The police are also facilitating the surrender of Maoist cadres by offering them rehabilitation and reintegration packages. This approach has already shown promising results, with several Maoist cadres surrendering in recent months. The police attribute this success to the trust built with the families, who have been instrumental in convincing their relatives to give up arms. The initiative has also helped to reduce the influence of Maoist ideology in the region, as the families are now more inclined to support the government’s efforts to bring development and prosperity to the area. Furthermore, the police are working to address the grievances of the local population, which have long been exploited by the Maoists. By providing basic amenities and services, the police are trying to win the hearts and minds of the people, thereby reducing the Maoists’ support base. The initiative has been widely appreciated by the local community, who see it as a positive step towards peace and development. The police are hopeful that this approach will yield long-term results and help to bring an end to the decades-long Maoist insurgency in the region. The success of this initiative can be replicated in other parts of the country, where Maoist influence is significant. The government has also taken notice of the initiative and is considering scaling it up to other affected areas. The police are working closely with the government to ensure that the initiative is sustainable and effective in the long run.