Gadchiroli, October 16 2025: In a major development supporting peacebuilding and social reintegration in Gadchiroli district, sixty Maoists have surrendered their arms in the presence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The surrender, led by senior cadre Sonu alias Bhupathi, marks a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate former insurgents and reintegrate them into mainstream society.
As part of the rehabilitation process, Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd (LMEL), in coordination with the Government of Maharashtra and Gadchiroli Police, has provided employment to 68 surrendered Maoists from earlier surrenders, along with 14 family members affected by Maoist violence. This brings the total number of rehabilitated individuals engaged with the company to 82.
The surrendered individuals have been absorbed across various departments, including administration, civil and construction work, and mechanical operations. Recognizing that many of them had limited formal education, LMEL established a skill-based rehabilitation model through its Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre in Konsari, offering targeted technical and operational training to prepare them for the workforce.
LMEL operates the Surjagarh iron ore mines in Etapalli taluka and has expanded its operations to include a Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellet plant at Konsari. On July 22, 2025, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the bhoomipujan for LMEL’s proposed Integrated Steel Plant at Konsari and inaugurated the company’s 87-kilometre slurry pipeline and iron ore grinding unit. These projects are expected to strengthen the local economy and create additional employment opportunities for the region’s youth.
Under the leadership of Managing Director B. Prabhakaran, LMEL has placed a strong emphasis on local employment generation and community empowerment. Through its L T Gondwana Skill Hub Pvt Ltd, the company has trained and absorbed around 1,400 local youth as of July 2025, with several hundred more currently undergoing training across multiple skill areas.
Company officials stated that the coordinated efforts between industry, government, and local administration are building an environment of trust, stability, and progress in Gadchiroli. Once considered one of Maharashtra’s most challenging regions for development, the district is gradually emerging as a centre for inclusive growth, supported by structured rehabilitation, education, and employment opportunities.
LMEL’s rehabilitation and skill development initiatives reflect the growing role of private industry in supporting government-led peace and development missions. By creating avenues for sustainable livelihoods and social reintegration, the company’s efforts are helping transform lives and foster long-term stability in the region.
