2 Hardcore Women Maoists Surrender In Odisha’s Boudh

Boudh: Two hardcore women Maoists surrendered before IGP (Southern Range) Jai Narayan Pankaj in Odisha’s Boudh district on Tuesday.

They have been identified as Manisha Thati and Champa Koram of Bijapur district in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

According to a police release, the two women were member of Mahanadi Area Committee of Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI (Maoist). They were tasked with reactivating the North-South corridor from Jharkhand to Chhattisgarh through south-centre Odisha. They were working in CPI (Maoist) organisation since 2018 and were involved in several violent incidents both in Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

They, however, were later disillusioned by the high-handedness and rude behaviour of senior leaders, who allegedly encouraged cannabis cultivation and trade, disrupted electoral processes, sexually harassed female cadre, extorted funds through intimidation and inducted young boys and girls into the organisation by false promise and propaganda.

They were assured by Boudh SP that they would be suitably rehabilitated, it added.

The IGP said that the KKBN Maoist division has been active in Boudh and Kandhamal areas in the past six months and several exchanges of fire took place between the Maoists and security personnel in the region during this period.