Eight Maoist militias from Narayanpatna block in Koraput district of south Odisha surrendered before police on Thursday.
The surrender took place in the presence of Inspector General of Police (IGP) south-western range Yashwant Jethwa, Inspector General (IG) of Border Security Force (BF) A.K.Sharma and Koraput Superintendent of Police (SP) Awinash Kumar. Five of the surrendered Maoists were from Dumsil village and three others were from Basanaput village. Both these villages under Narayanpatna police station were considered Maoist strongholds.
The surrender is considered a major set back for the Maoists as all these eight as they were key cadres of Maoist organisation in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks. Those who surrendered were Ladda Nachika, Kayu Nachika, Rajeya Kendruka, Rameya Kendruka, Kesari Kenduka from Dumsil village and Rabi Huluka, Sekaru Huluka, Siu Huluka from Basanaput village.
All of them joined the Maoist movement via the controversial tribal organisation Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) which is active in Narayanpatna area. They had joined the CMAS in 2009 and later become members of Koraput Divisional Committee under the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation, said Mr. Jethwa.
After their surrender, the Maoists expressed that they had realised the futility of violent path of Maoists. They also added hat they had got frustrated by the anti-tribal and anti-development activities of naxalite leaders from Andhra Pradesh who rule the organisation in their area. It was also felt that death of their close associate Purna Huluka in an exchange of fire with security forces in side Palaput-Gadraguda jungle under Narayanpatna police station limits on Apr 13 was also catalyst behind their surrender.
Two days back a >hardcore female Maoist Tulsi Mandingi alias Jirmai , who was active in Narayanpatna area had also surrendered in Koraput district.
