Carrying an AK-47 rifle is nothing new for 27 year-old Sanjay Potam alias Badru who was with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Bastar for eight years before surrendering a few months ago.
“Earlier it was more out of compulsion, but now it’s a responsibility,” says Badru who is now a jawan with the state auxiliary force.
Badru had joined the Maoists after his house and village were ransacked by a Salwa Judum mob in 2005. But after a few years, he had differences with some leaders in the party and he complained to senior party leaders about it.
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“They (party leadership) agreed to the points raised by me and reprimanded those Andhra leaders. But those leaders kept that grudge against me and began to conspire against me,” said Badru who was involved in many violent activities against the security forces and worked as the Divisional Committee member in Darbha area.
“The police received me well and gave me a job, quarters to stay and security,” claimed Badru whose wife Sukki (24), a member of Maoists medical team, also surrendered along with him.
Hemla Sanu alias Kolha (27), a former Maoist who now works as a “Gopaniya Sainik” (Secret solider) for Dantewada police also reiterates the same story.
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“I joined the Maoists willingly and worked for them for over six years,” said Kolha who was involved in the killing of 76 CRPF men near Tadmetla village in 2010.
“I got to know of my mother’s death six months late. My party leaders did not allow me to attend the funeral of my brother as well so I decided to surrender,” claimed Kolha.
Both Badru and Kolha are convinced that they will be targeted by the Maoists. “We are safe here in headquarters but when we go to our village or go on operation with forces, there is always a chance of them (Maoists) targeting us deliberately,” said Badru but added that he was happy now because he was getting paid for risking his life.
“There is no personal life and future in the forest life,” said Badru claiming to have persuaded two of his colleagues also to surrender.