A Maoist couple, carrying a hefty reward on their head, surrendered before the police in Malkangiri district of Odisha on Wednesday.
Ram Kawasi alias Surjya (38) and his wife Weli Madkami alias Malati (25) surrendered before Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra.
Major blow
The surrender of Surjya is being seen as a major blow to the Maoists in Malkangiri as he was considered the most senior tribal cadre. He was among the few tribals of Malkangiri who initially joined the organisation in 2002.
He played a key role in building up the support base for naxalites in this district bordering the Maoist-infested regions of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Surjya was carrying reward of ₹5 lakh on his head, while the government had declared ₹4 lakh for the capture of his wife, Parvati.
After their surrender the two told media persons that they had realised the futility of violence and were frustrated with Maoist activities. They said they wanted to lead a normal life.
Violent incidents
As per police records, Surjya was involved in more than 50 incidents of Maoist violence, while his wife was named in at least 15. Surjya had allegedly masterminded the landmine blast in Kaliajhula jungle of Malkangiri district on January 8, 2016, that had killed two Border Security Force personnel.
