Malkangiri: More than 700 active Maoist supporters, including 300 militia members and many from Andhra Pradesh, surrendered before the security forces in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Saturday, police said.
They surrendered before police and Border Security Force (BSF) at Andrahal BSF camp in the presence of Rajesh Pandit, DIG, South-West Range, Nitesh Wadhwani, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police and Madan Lal, DIG, BSF, Koraput and Jagdish Dalai, 2 IC, 65 Bn of BSF.
Many of the rebel supporters who gave up arms were from Bhajaguda, Biseiguda, Khalguda, Patraput, Ondeipadar, Sambalpur and Sindhiput villages of Andrahal Gram Panchayat under Mudulipada police limits of Malkangiri district.
Several of them were also from Padalput, Kusumput, Matamput and Jodigumma villages under Munchingput Police Station of Alluri Sitharam Raju District of Andhra Pradesh, a release from state police sait. All these villages are located in the Odisha-AP border area and once happened to be stronghold of Maoists.
These Maoist supporters used to assist in the violent activities and were involved in killing of security personnel, civilians besides supplying logistics to the ultras.
The surrendered militias and supporters of Odisha and bordering Andhra Pradesh exhibited their opposition towards the Maoist ideology by burning the dress materials and effigies of naxals and gave slogans like “Maobadi Murdabad Ama Sarkar Jindabad” before a large group of media before surrendering.
Developmental initiatives of the state government coupled with the strategic deployment of security forces inspired the villagers to join the mainstream. A 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 motivated them to join the mainstream and partake in the development process, it said.
Earlier on June 2, this year, 50 active Maoist supporters had surrendered before the Odisha DGP, Odisha. Similarly, on June 11, a total of 347 Maoist supporters had surrendered before Malkangiri police and BSF at Jantri BSF Camp.
On August 22, altogether 550 Maoist supporters had surrendered before Malkangiri police and BSF at Janbai BSF Camp and joined mainstream. This has created a huge impact in the area and many more are considering “Ghar Wapsi” (home coming) in the future, the release added.
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