Bargarh: Two highly-trained militia members of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), Puja Tati (35) and Saita Padam (31), surrendered before Odisha Police on Friday.
Puja alias Paro of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh was the platoon commander of Bargarh local organising squad (LOC) while Saita alias Raghu was heading the Balangir LOC. He was a native of Sukma district, police said.
The two had rewards of Rs 4 lakh and Rs 3 lakh respectively on their heads and were actively trying to expand the Maoist activities in Bargarh and Balangir districts.
The duo surrendered before IG Police Northern Range, Sambalpur, Himanshu Lal in the presence of Bargarh SP, Prahalad Meena. “Surrender of the two Maoist cadres is a severe jolt to Left-wing extremism in Gandhamardan area,” Lal said.
They surrendered after realising that the outfit has lost its ideological commitment and instead of working for poor and toiling class, it was indulging in extortion, attack on innocent civilians and security forces. They also revealed that the Chhattisgarh cadres, particularly the women, were being subjected to continuous physical, psychological and sexual harassment in the outfit.
They will be rehabilitated as per the existing Surrender and Rehabilitation of the government.
“We appeal the Maoists to shun violence, join the mainstream and live a decent life. The state government is determined to root out Maoist menace from Odisha and more aggressive action will be taken against them in the coming days,” the IG Police added.
