Four Maoists surrender before police in Odisha

Four Maoists, including a woman cadre surrendered before police in Odisha after they expressed their ire over excess pressure from their leaders to carry out their orders.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Pramod Kumar Bag said the Maoists surrendered before Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh on Tuesday.

"A woman Maoist cadre called Balesadi, also known as Bhimasadi, who was working for the Maoists for the last six to seven years surrendered. They have worked for Motu Dalam and later for Balimela Dalam. They were living in the village as they faced the atrocities of the Maoists in the last one year. In addition to this, three more Maoists who were involved in the abduction case of the collector of Malkangiri also surrendered as they were distressed due to the atrocities of the Maoists," Bag said.

The other three male Maoists who surrendered were involved in the abduction of the collector of Malkangiri district.

A Maoist, Santosh, who surrendered, said that they wanted to join the mainstream as their life was always under threat.

"I wanted to live with my family as I was distressed with the activities of the Maoists. We were always living under a constant threat. Frequent combing operation undertaken by the police posed a threat to our life. We wanted to join main stream, so, we surrendered," said Santosh.

The frequent surrenders show that that despite their militant tactics Maoists are starting to lose their hold in this remote cut off area.