Malkangiri: A most-wanted Maoist leader, carrying a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, surrendered before Malkangiri SP on Monday.
Identified as Vantala Raju (32) alias Sagar, he was working as a party member of Pedabailu-Korukonda AC of East-Visakha Division under the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC).
Informing mediapersons abut the surrender, Malkangiri SP Nitesh Wadhwani said Raju was a cadre Maoist and was active in Andhra and Odisha. Raju joined the Maoist in 2016 and was involved in several incidents of violence in Andhra Pradesh and Swabhiman Anchal of Malkangiri.
He was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head announced by the Odisha government, the SP added.
Raju laid down his arms after witnessing the development works undertaken in the cut-off area in the last few years as part of area domination exercises . Roads, schools and other welfare facilities have been made available to the people of cut-off areas by the State government, the SP added.
“The surrender of Raju is a big achievement for Odisha government, Odisha Police and BSF,” said DIG, BSF, SK Sinha.
