Seven Naxals with total bounty of Rs 37 lakh surrender in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband

Gariaband, Nov 7 (PTI) Seven hardcore Naxals with a collective reward of Rs 37 lakh on their heads surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district on Friday, police officials said.

The seven, including four women, belong to Udanti Area Committee of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), Raipur Range Inspector General of Police Amresh Mishra said.

The Udanti Area Committee is a key formation which handles Maoist activities in Gariaband and Dhamtari districts and adjoining districts of Odisha, he said.

They have handed over six weapons, including one Self Loading Rifle, three Insas rifles and two country made firearms, he said.

"For the last 25 years, security forces have been making efforts to destroy the banned outfit. Continuous operations by Central and state security forces and impressive surrender and rehabilitation policy have helped in getting ultras to lay down arms. This is a historic achievement in counter-insurgency operations," the IG added.

As per a police statement, surrendered ultra Sunil alias Jagtar Singh, a native of Kurukshetra district in Haryana, and his wife Arina Tekam alias Sugaro were active as divisional committee member and secretary of Udanti area committee, respectively, and carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each.

"Initially linked to Shivalik Jansangharsh Manch, a Maoist front, in Haryana in 2004, Sunil later joined CPI (Maoist) through its urban network, working under senior Maoist leaders CC Lankapapareddy and CC Subramaniam. He was arrested and jailed in 2006 and 2008 for his activities," the release said.

In 2015, Sunil came into contact with Maoist leader Mandeep in Himachal Pradesh and later met central committee member Sangram alias Murli in Nuapada district, Odisha.

"He subsequently joined the Udanti Area Committee, operating along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. In 2018, he was elevated as DVCM (Divisional Committee Member) and married fellow cadre Arina Tekam, a native of Kanker district. Among the surrendered cadres, Vidya Madiam alias Jamli, Ludaro alias Anil, Nandini alias Poje Podiyam and Kanti alias Manbati, carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh each, while Mallesh carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh," it said.

The surrendered Maoists said they were motivated by the government's rehabilitation policy, which provides incentives such as financial assistance, housing, medical care, and employment support, the release said.

They also cited the success stories of previously surrendered cadres who had reintegrated into mainstream society, it added.

Last month, nearly 300 Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh, while senior Naxalite Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi and 60 other cadres laid down arms in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. PTI COR TKP BNM