17 Maoists surrender in Bastar

In a fillip to the Chhattisgarh government's campaign for the rehabilitation of Maoists, 17 members of the Jan Militia, including some top Maoist leaders of Odisha's Niyamgiri area, surrendered on Saturday in Jagdalpur in Bastar district, a senior police officer said.

Among those who surrendered were Kamlu Joga who had a Rs 5 lakh reward on his head.

Bastar IG A.R.P. Kallori and SP R.N. Dash said that a total of 17 Maoists have surrendered before the administration, including Commander Kamlu Joga who is suspected to have attacked a police party during a raid in 2007 in Polampalli (Telangana).

They said that gang members of the GRD Jan Militia used to damage the roads whenever they came to know about police raids.

IG Kallori said the Maoists who surrendered would be given Rs 10,000 each as immediate relief as part of their rehabilitation, and would also be given skill training in livelihood.

Those who surrendered are from Bodavada, Badanbada, Bodanpal, Govindpal and Badirimau village blocks of Bastar. A total of 399 Maoists have surrendered within 11 months, including these 17, said Kallori.

--IANS

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