Bhubaneswar/Raipur: Seven hardcore Maoists, including commander Ramana Irpa alias Bikesh, who had been actively operating in Odisha, have surrendered before security forces in Chhattisgarh.
Bikesh, who was the commander of the 8th company of the banned outfit operating in the KKBN (Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh) area, was carrying a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head from Chhattisgarh and Rs 10 lakh from Odisha.
Apart from Bikesh, other Maoists who surrendered were Rame Kamlu alias Pramila, Hunga Madkam alias Mainu, Paro Sikako alias Shanti, Lakse Podiami alias Asha, Dukaru Lekam alias Dora, and Jogi Padiam alias Raimati.
Sources said the seven were operating in Odisha’s Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Boudh, and Nayagarh districts and were involved in various violent incidents, including killings of civilians, in Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Kalahandi over the past five years.
The total reward on the seven Maoists was Rs 89 lakhs. After surrendering before police in Chhattisgarh’s Bijepur two days ago, Bikesh stated that he left the Maoist outfit due to the intensive operations conducted by the Odisha Police. The Maoists are facing severe mental and health issues due to their nomadic lifestyle.
Bikesh appealed to all Maoists operating in Odisha to surrender and join the mainstream, reflecting the growing demoralisation among Maoist cadres in the state.
Odisha Police have also appealed to all the Maoists operating in the state to give up the path of violence and their welfare will be taken care as per the rehabilitation and surrender policy of the government.
With these seven top cadres from Odisha surrendering, the activities of the Maoist outfit is likely to be severely weakened in the state, police said.