Gadchiroli, Oct 24 (UNI) In a significant step towards strengthening public trust and curbing illegal arms possession, residents from several villages in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district voluntarily surrendered 26 loaded guns and 11 gun barrels to the police. The surrender was part of an ongoing civic action initiative.
The weapons were handed over in villages including Hindur, Nainwadi, and Todgatta, under the jurisdiction of the Vangeturi police station.
The drive was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Neelotpal, with the participation of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Headquarters) and personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Gadchiroli, a forest-dominated district historically affected by Naxalite activity, has seen a steady decline in such incidents in recent years. Police officials stated that no new youth have joined the Naxalite movement over the past five years, and the number of active cadres has sharply reduced.
SP Neelotpal had previously appealed to citizens to hand over unlicensed firearms to their nearest police station. Officials stated that the recent response reflects growing public confidence in law enforcement and a diminishing fear of Naxalite influence.
According to official data, 73 firearms were surrendered in 2022, 46 in 2023, 26 in 2024, and 29 so far in 2025 — bringing the total number of surrendered weapons in the district to 365.
SP Neelotpal credited the success to coordinated efforts by Additional Superintendents of Police M. Ramesh (Operations), Sathya Sai Kartik (Pranahita Division), and Gokul Raj (Administration), noting that the initiative highlights “renewed trust between the police and local communities.”
