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In a landmark development in Chhattisgarh's long battle against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), 208 Naxalites laid down their arms and opted for rehabilitation on Friday, marking a major step toward restoring peace in the Dandakaranya region. With this, officials said, most of Abujhmad has been freed from Naxal influence, bringing an end to the decades-long Red terror in North Bastar. "Only South Bastar now remains affected," the top government officials said.According to officials, the surrendered group includes 110 women and 98 men, representing various ranks of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation. Among them are one Central Committee Member (CCM), four Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) members, one Regional Committee Member, 21 Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs), 61 Area Committee Members (ACMs), 98 Party Members, and 22 PLGA/RPC/other cadres.During the operation, the Maoists surrendered 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 SLR rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, one INSAS LMG, 36 .303 rifles, four carbines, 11 BGL launchers, 41 twelve-bore or single-shot guns, and one pistol.Officials hailed the surrender as one of the most significant breakthroughs in recent years, saying it underscores the growing success of the government's Naxal Eradication and Rehabilitation Policy 2025, which combines development, dialogue, and trust-building measures to encourage militants to return to the mainstream.This large-scale surrender is expected to accelerate peace and development efforts in the region and further weaken the Maoist network in the Bastar division, once considered the stronghold of Left Wing Extremism in India.Among the top Maoist leaders who surrendered were Rupesh alias Satish (Central Committee Member), Bhaskar alias Rajman Mandavi (DKSZC Member), Ranita (DKSZC Member), Raju Salam (DKSZC Member), Dhannu Vetti alias Santu (DKSZC Member), and Ratan Elam (Regional Committee Member).Officials said the mass surrender represents a decisive step towards lasting peace and inclusive development in Bastar and the broader Dandakaranya region, once considered the epicenter of Naxalism.

Yes Bank will announce its earnings on Saturday, October 18, where the lender is expected to post a strong year-on-year (YoY) rise in profits for the July–September quarter, supported by healthy loan and deposit growth and controlled credit costs. However, the sequential performance is likely to soften as treasury income weakens and margins remain under pressure, according to Nomura, Emkay Global, and ICICI Securities estimates.The lender’s profit after tax (PAT) is projected to rise as much as 41% YoY, while Net Interest Income (NII) is expected to grow modestly by 4–7% YoY, reflecting limited repricing benefits amid rising funding costs.Here are the brokerages' estimates based on 9 key metrics1. PATYes Bank’s PAT is expected to range between Rs 640 crore and Rs 783 crore, marking a 16–41% YoY jump, but a 2–20% QoQ decline due to weak treasury gains and higher provisions.– Emkay: Rs 783 crore (+41.5% YoY, -2.3% QoQ)– ICICI Securities: Rs 764 crore (+38.1% YoY, -4.6% QoQ)– Nomura: Rs 640 crore (+16% YoY, -20% QoQ)2. NIINII is likely to rise modestly in the range of Rs 2,295–Rs 2,350 crore, showing a 4–7% YoY growth. Sequentially, brokerages differ — Nomura and Emkay expect a slight decline, while ICICI Securities sees an improvement.– Nomura: Rs 2,350 crore (+7% YoY, -1% QoQ)– Emkay: Rs 2,309 crore (+5% YoY, -2.6% QoQ)– ICICI Securities: Rs 2,295 crore (+4.3% YoY, +3.2% QoQ)3. NIMMargins are expected to stay muted, with net interest margins (NIMs) estimated at around 2.4%, broadly stable YoY but down sequentially by 6–8 basis points.– Nomura: 2.4% (+2bps YoY, -8bps QoQ)– Emkay: 2.4% (+4bps YoY, -6bps QoQ)4. PPOPPre-Provision Operating Profit (PPOP) is projected between Rs 1,128 crore and Rs 1,294 crore, up 15–33% YoY but down 5–17% QoQ.– Emkay: Rs 1,294 crore (+32.7% YoY, -4.7% QoQ)– Nomura: Rs 1,160 crore (+19% YoY, -15% QoQ)– ICICI Securities: Rs 1,128 crore (+15.7% YoY, -16.9% QoQ)Brokerages attributed the sequential decline to lower treasury income and higher operating costs.5. ProvisionsProvisions are expected to remain stable QoQ, with a marginal YoY uptick, reflecting manageable asset quality.– Nomura: Rs 300 crore (+1% YoY, +6% QoQ)– Emkay expects recoveries and contained slippages to limit incremental provisioning pressure.6. LoansLoan growth continues to show momentum, expected to expand 7% YoY and 4% QoQ, led by steady traction in retail and MSME segments.– Nomura: Rs 2.50 lakh crore (+7% YoY, +4% QoQ)– ICICI Securities highlighted that slippages are likely to moderate sequentially on a high base, while overall credit demand remains stable.7. DepositsDeposits are likely to register 7% YoY and 8% QoQ growth, outpacing credit expansion and improving funding stability.– Nomura: Rs 2.97 lakh crore (+7% YoY, +8% QoQ)The bank’s deposit growth trajectory remains encouraging, supported by retail deposit mobilisation and improving customer confidence.8. Credit cost– Nomura: 0.5% (-6bps YoY, flat QoQ)Also read: Gold prices rally to new high past Rs 1.3 lakh ahead of Dhanteras, silver follows suit9. Key monitorablesNomura said the credit cost remains contained at 0.5%, but warned that weak treasury income could weigh on PAT, while Emkay expects “recoveries from ARC sales to cushion earnings.(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)