Maoist with bounty on head surrenders before Odisha police

Koraput: Making a decision to turn away from violence, a dreaded Maoist with bounty on his head surrendered before Malkangiri SP here in the district today.

The 30-year-old Jipro Habika, resident of Khajaguda under Narayanpatna police limits in Koraput district, was working as an area committee member of Gumma Area Committee under MKVB Division AOBSZC. He was carrying a cash reward of 4 lakh.

Jipro had joined the third company of Central Regional Committee (CRC)  of the banned CPI Maoist group in the year 2012. He was involved in nine criminal activities which include murder, exchange of fire and blasting of vehicles.

He was the suspect in killing of Naib Sarpanch G Sundar Rao at Puteru village in Koraput district in 2016, MLA KS Rao and former MLA Siveri Soma near Dunguriguda Mandal of Araku Valey in Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh in 2018, a release said today.

However, the Maoist decided to join the mainstream of the society when he saw various developmental activities undertaken by the government of Odisha and realized the futility of violent path of Naxalism.

He also realized that the Maoist leaders are using innocent tribals of their region for their own individual interests and making them fight amongst themselves and once their benefits is over, they are branded as police informers and killed mercilessly. He was also disappointed with the behavior of senior Maoists leaders on regional feeling between Telugu and other cadres.

Due to increased police operations and successes in interior areas and subsequent continuous fear of police action also contributed to his surrender.

Meanwhile, the district police have assured monetary assistance as per the Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme of Government of Odisha. He will also get financial assistance for building house, pursuing studies and getting training in trade/vocation of his will, the release stated.