1. Two women Maoists, originally from Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, surrendered to security forces in Odisha.
2. They were linked to the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit’s Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division.
3. The surrender marks a notable achievement in the state’s efforts to counter left-wing extremism.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 06: Two women Maoists surrendered to security forces in Odisha, marking a significant development in the state’s efforts to combat left-wing extremism.
Inspector General of Police (Southern Range) Jai Narayan Pankaj revealed that the surrendered Maoists hailed from the Bijapur district in neighboring Chhattisgarh and were associated with the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) outfit.
According to Pankaj, the two women had joined the banned outfit in 2018 and were involved in various violent incidents. He stated that the KKBN division of CPI (Maoist) remained active in the Boudh and Kandhamal districts, highlighting the significance of the surrender in disrupting the group’s activities in the region.
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The surrendered Maoists will be eligible for benefits available to those who lay down arms and renounce violence in the state. Pankaj emphasized that the decision to surrender was driven by the women’s disillusionment with the unethical practices within the CPI (Maoist) organization.
The women revealed that they were initially recruited to sing songs but were later coerced into participating in violent activities.
They expressed frustration over the exploitation, intimidation, and false promises perpetuated by senior members of the Maoist outfit. Moreover, they denounced the mistreatment of female cadres and the induction of young individuals into the organization under pretences.
One of the surrendered Maoists cited ideological differences and ethical concerns as reasons for leaving the group, urging others to follow suit and abandon violence.
Pankaj issued a plea to remaining Maoists to reconsider their involvement in armed insurgency and return to mainstream society.
Assuring rehabilitation and support for those who choose to surrender, Pankaj emphasized the opportunity for a fresh start and urged former extremists to embrace peaceful means of engagement.
The surrender of the two women Maoists signifies a step towards peace and stability in the region, reflecting the ongoing efforts to address insurgency and promote dialogue and reconciliation.
