Surrendered women naxals walk on the ramp at a fashion show in Raipur, organised to mark National Handloom Day

Nine tribal women walked the ramp at a fashion show in Raipur to commemorate the National Handloom Day on August 7.

But for their introduction -- that they once wielded gun and reigned terror in Chhattisgarh and adjoining state of Telangana, they could have easily passed off as simple tribals, dressed in traditional ensembles from local handloom. They belonged to Bastar and Sukma districts of southern part of the state.

The surrendered and rehabilitated women naxals, who participated in the fashion show, have been identified as Poonam Deve, Madvi Deve, Medium Gangi,Madvi Nandni, Dondi Rame, Madkam Bhime, Podiyam Raje, Pooname Jyoti, and Hidme Markam. 

While one of them gave up arms and surrendered at Sukma, the remaining did that in Telangana, and were rehabilitated at a centre next district hospital in Sukma which came up in March, last year, Chhattisgarh Police Sub Inspector Sheikh Abdul, who is in-charge of the facility, told businessline.

Video Credit: Businessline

According to Suman Morya, who looks after the women naxalites at the centre, two of them -- Medium Gangi alias Sundari and Madkam Bhime alias Sunita -- were Platoon Party Committee Members (PPCM) of the CPI-Maoist organisation. The PPCM would be a part of leadership embedded within a military platoon. They were tasked with managing ideological training, party discipline, and political alignment alongside military commanders in tactical guerrilla units.

Overall there are 44 female and 85 male surrendered Naxalites currently residing at the rehabilitation centre at Sukma, she stated. Their confident walk reflected their new lives and carried a message different from the fashion show it was — it was a glimpse of Bastar’s changing story.

“Once associated with a life of violence and weapons, these women are now embracing a new path built on skill, culture and dignity,” said the state government officials. After that whoever wants to go home will be released and the remaining who face threat to their lives will remain at the rehabilitation centre, they explained.

At the same event, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched ‘Koshal Fab’, a premium brand aimed at giving Chhattisgarh’s traditional Kosa silk a stronger market identity.

“Together, the women’s confidence on the ramp and the Kosa woven on traditional looms conveyed a simple message: Bastar’s new identity is being shaped not by guns, but by skill, culture and self-reliance,” officials remarked.

India was declared free from Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxalism as of March 31, this year. 

Published on August 13, 2026