Women Naxalites who once moved through the forests of Bastar with weapons such as INSAS rifles have now taken to the ramp, styled in heirloom sarees, and promoting Swadeshi products after surrendering.
Nine women from Sukma who recently surrendered participated in a fashion show held as part of a National Handloom Day event in Raipur. The programme was part of efforts to rehabilitate former Naxalites and provide them opportunities to engage in activities outside their previous lives. “I used to work in the Pamed Area Committee. We went to Raipur recently. There, we were trained by people who had come from Bombay…prominent ministers also came.
I surrendered in 2026. Another surrendered Naxalite, Poonam Devi, said she surrendered on July 12, 2025, after joining the Naxalite movement in November 2007. “I surrendered on July 12, 2025. I liked the program…we were trained for it…I joined the Naxals in November 2007 and left in 2025,” she said.
The women also helped spread awareness about Swadeshi products during the event, according to Sukma SP Mayank Gurjar. One of the surrendered Naxalites, who said she had worked with the Pamed Area Committee, recalled her experience in Raipur, where the participants underwent six days of training. The training was of six days…it was the first time we did something like that…we enjoyed it,” the former Naxalite said.
SP Mayank Gurjar said the participation was part of the benefits being provided to surrendered Naxalites under the rehabilitation policies of the Government of India and the Chhattisgarh Government . He said their participation in the fashion show reflected a change in their outlook and growing trust in the government’s rehabilitation policy.
