Phulbani: In a major setback to the red rebels, a hardcore Maoist couple from Chhattisgarh surrendered before the police in Odisha’s Kandhamal district on Sunday.
Identified as Unga Kalmu alias Kishore (25) and Mase Madvi (22), the two surrendered before Southern Range Inspector General of Police Niti Shekhar at the Kandhamal District Police Headquarters in the presence of SP and other senior police officials.
They were active members of the Chhattisgarh of Bansadhara-Ghumsar-Nagabali (BGN) division. The ultras were active in Odisha’s Kandhamal district and nearby areas.
Both the cadres are of Chhattisgarh origin. Their task was to reactivate the North-South corridor from Jharkhand to Chhattisgarh through south-centre Odisha. The two were carrying a cash reward of Rs one lakh on head.
They were working in the outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation since 2018 and were involved in several violent incidents both in Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Due to the massive anti-Naxalite operations in interior areas of Kandhamal district cadre, the Maoist couple surrendered before the police to join the mainstream of the society.
IG Niti Shekhar said that the couple would be suitably rehabilitated under the surrender and rehabilitation scheme of the Government, which includes financial assistance, homestead land, house build assistance, education assistance vocational training with monthly stipend and join in the mainstream of society.
“We appeal to all disillusioned cadres who have chosen the wrong path by misleading propaganda, to give up violence. The surrender policy of government of Odisha will help them lead a normal and happy life in the mainstream,” he said.