More than 700 Maoist supporters surrender before Odisha Police in Malkangiri

Malkangiri: More than 700 active Maoist supporters including 300 militias surrendered before Odisha Police in Malkangiri here today.

They surrendered before Malkangiri police and BSF at Andrahal BSF camp in presence of DIG (SWR) Koraput Rajesh Pandit, Malkangiri SP Nitesh Wadhwani, DIG BSF Koraput Madan Lal and 2 IC, 65 Battalion of BSF Jagdish Dalai, a release stated.

The left-wing sympathizers belonged to Bhajaguda, Biseiguda, Khalguda, Patraput, Ondeipadar, Sambalpur & Sindhiput villages under Khairput Block of Malkangiri  district and Padalput, Kusumput, Matamput and Jodigumma villages of  Alluri Sitharam Raju district in Andhra Pradesh.

Located on the Odisha-AP border, all the villages were the erstwhile stronghold of Maoists. These Maoist supporters used to assist in the violent activities and were involved in killing of security forces and civilians apart from supplying logistics to the Red Rebels.

While surrendering, the militias expressed their opposition towards the Maoist ideology by burning the dress materials and effigies of the ultras. They also raised slogans like “Maowadi Murdabad Ama Sarkar Jindabad”.

It is believed that the State government’s developmental initiatives coupled with the strategic deployment of security forces inspired the villagers to join the mainstream.

Series of developmental works like construction of new roads, bridges, medical facilities, installation of mobile towers, project to supply drinking water, electricity to all the houses of the area are said to have motivated them to join the mainstream and partake in the development process, police said.

Earlier in June this year, 50 active hard core Maoist supporters had surrendered before the DGP, Odisha. A few days later, 347 Maoist supporters had surrendered before Malkangiri police and BSF at Jantri BSF Camp. Last month, 550 supporters had surrendered before Malkangiri police and BSF at Janbai BSF Camp and joined mainstream.