22 armed Maoists surrender in Odisha: Govt to provide Rs 1.84 crore reward to ultras as per revised policy

In a step towards making southern Odisha free from Naxal violence, the police in Malkangiri district managed to stitch a truce with red rebels ensconced along the hilly terrains and forest region, resulting in the surrender of 22 underground cadres of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) outfit, police said on Tuesday.

The development is a major blow to the banned outfit. Of the 22 underground cadres who shunned the path of violence to join the mainstream, one was a senior functionary of Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) rank, and six were Area Committee Members (ACMs).

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The cadres also laid down nine firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, two INSAS rifles, one SLR rifle, three .303 rifles, and two single-shot rifles in the presence of Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, Director General of Police, Odisha.

The surrendered cadres pledged to renounce violence, sever all links with ultras, and opt to join the mainstream of society, expressing faith in the democratic process, police said.

As part of the surrender process, the cadres handed over nine firearms and 150 live rounds of ammunition of various calibres, 9 magazines, 20 kg of explosives, 13 improvised explosive devices, gelatin sticks, codex wire, Maoist literature, and other articles.

Constant appeals made by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, State Police leadership, urging CPI (Maoist) cadres to return to the mainstream by abandoning the violence and participating in the development and welfare of the state and its people have paid positive dividends.

Increased and sustained pressure by Security Forces, disillusionment with the ideology, a leadership vacuum, lack of local support, new Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy of the Odisha government—the combined effect of these factors drove cadres to sever their association with the CPI (Maoist) organisation. This decision reflects a deliberate and pragmatic acceptance of the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy and a clear renunciation of violent extremism in favour of development, peace, and a law-abiding life, added the police.

As per the Odisha’s Government’s Rehabilitation Policy, surrendered cadres would receive an amount based on their ranks. Today’s surrender of 22 Maoist cadres along with weapons carries the total reward amount of Rs 1,84,25,000.

An interim relief of Rs 25,000 each has now been handed over to all 22 surrendered cadres.

As per the government policy, each of the surrendered Naxals is entitled to the provision of a house under Antyodaya Gruha Yojana (AG), one-time marriage incentive of Rs 25,000.

Those red rebels who surrendered will be enrolled free of cost in short-term skill development programmes. A stipend of Rs 10,000 per month will be provided for a maximum period of 36 months. Besides, they will be provided with Health Cards under the policy of the state government or the central government.

The surrenderer will be provided with the free ration / subsidised ration under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Antyodaya Anna Yojana, or any other similar policy.

The Odisha State Police Department assures that all entitled benefits will be provided promptly, enabling the surrendered cadres to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.