An Area Committee Member (ACM)-ranked underground CPI (Maoist) cadre, a native of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday shunned the path of violence and joined the mainstream in a blow to the banned outfit in Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
During the surrender, the cadre- Sukhram Markam, also laid down an SLR Rifle, 12 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, and other articles.
The surrendered cadre renounced violence, severed all links with extremist activities, and opted to join the mainstream of society, expressing faith in the democratic process.
This surrender of an operational and ideological CPI (Maoist) leader marks a final blow to CPI (Maoist) cadres in Malkangiri, making the Malkangiri District Naxal-free.
Markam was involved in a series of violent activities, including orchestrating an IED blast to target security forces and the abduction and killing of civilians on suspicion of being police informers.
Constant appeals made by the Odisha government urging CPI (Maoist) cadres to return to the mainstream by shunning the violence and participating in the development and welfare of the State and its people are yielding dividends, with several outlawed red rebels returning to the mainstream in recent months.
Increased and sustained pressure by security forces, disillusionment with the ideology, a leadership vacuum, and a lack of local support, besides the new surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy of the Odisha government, have all driven the CPI (Maoist) cadres to sever their association with the outlawed outfit.
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.
As per the Odisha Government’s New Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy, surrendered cadre would receive several benefits, including a total reward amount of Rs 21 lakh.
Additional benefits like the provision of a house under Antyodaya Gruha Yojana (AG), one-time marriage incentive of Rs 25,000 are being extended to the surrendered Naxals as per the state’s rehabilitation and reintegration policy.
The Odisha State Police Department also assured that all entitled benefits will be provided promptly, enabling the surrendered cadres to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
Director General of Police Y B Khurania also appealed to the CPI (Maoist) cadres and leaders to come out and join the mainstream society and assured that all underground CPI (Maoist) cadres who opt to surrender will receive full support, protection, and assistance under the Odisha Government’s comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration programme, enabling them to rebuild their lives in a peaceful, dignified, and meaningful manner.