In yet another significant success for the security forces in Maoist-infested Chhattisgarh, as many as six cadres of the banned Maoist outfit Communist Party of India (Maoist) have surrendered before the police in Sukma district, informed officials on Saturday, April 13.
Four lower rung cadres, along with two female Maoists carrying a collective reward of Rs 3 lakhs have turned themselves before the Sukma police and surrendered, citing disappointment with the extremist’s ideology.
According to the information received, one of the surrendered cadres identified as Telam Geeta was working as a member of Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan (KAMS) under the Kistaram area committee of the outlaws and was carrying a bounty of Rs2 lakh on her head.
The other Maoist carrying a reward has been identified as Muchaki Some, who has been active as a militia commander and was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh. The others who surrendered have been identified as Podiyam Hunga, Madvi Masa, Kawasi Chinga and Nuppo Hunga, all lower rung cadres of the proscribed Maoist outfit.
The surrender took place under the flagship “Poona Narkom” (Meaning New Dawn in local Gondi dialect) campaign being jointly run by the police and the administration in Maoist affected Sukma district. Those who have surrendered will be provided with the benefits of State government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, according to the authorities.
It must be noted that the security forces in recent years have tightened the grip on the insurgents in the hinterlands of Chhattisgarh, triggering scores of surrenders from the local cadres of the outlawed group.
Earlier, in a similar development reported from Sukma itself, two hardcore Maoists carrying a collective reward of Rs 16 lakhs had also surrendered before the police on April 5. Those who had surrendered were identified as Kalmu Prakash alias Sannu and Pedekam Rita both carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakhs each on their heads.
According to the reports, Kamlu Prakash was associated with the South Bastar division committee of the outlaws, where he was operating as a committee member. Kalmu, a resident of Jagargunda, joined the Maoist outfit in 2007 as a Local Organisation Squad (LOS) and rose to the rank of DVCM (Divisional Committee Member).
Kalmu was reportedly active with the Kistaram area committee and was also carrying sophisticated weapons like AK-47. As per the reports, he was also involved in several acts of violence, including the infamous Burkapaal and Minpa encounters, where a number of security personnel were martyred.
According to the information, the other surrendered cadre, Pedekam Rita had joined the extremist outfit in 2006 and had worked for the People’s Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) battalion no 1, the strongest formation of the outlaws, mainly operational in the interiors of Sukma and Bijapur districts.
