Sukma, June 2 -- Kerlapenda village in Chhattisgarh's Naxal-affected Sukma district was declared Naxal-free after nine left wing extrmists, including some hardcore members, surrendered on Monday.
Police officials said the nine Naxalites gave themselves up at Kerlapenda village under the Chintalnagar police station area. With their surrender, the village has been declared Naxal-free.
As per the state government's new plan, Naxal-free gram panchayats will receive Rs 1 crore for development projects. The nine Naxalites were influenced by the government's surrender policy and the Naiyadi Nellanar scheme, an official said.
The official said altogether 16 Naxalites, including two hardcore members of the PLGA battalion, laid down their a...