9 militia members surrender in Visakhapatnam

Nine armed militia members, including three commanders, surrendered before the district police here today.
Visakhapatnam Superintendent of Police Koya Praveen told reporters that nine armed militia members have surrendered before the police today after their families were counselled.
Among the nine persons, three members -- K Gopala Rao, M Ranga Rao and K Lassu -- were armed militia commanders while remaining were militia members, the officer said.
All of them belonged to Bonthvalasa village in GK Veedhi mandal of the district, he said.
They were involved in various illegal activities, including blasting of coffee plantations and working as Maoist courier for supplying essential commodities, newspapers etc.

To a query, the SP said since January this year, 91 militia members and nine Maoists have surrendered, while 63 militia members, three extremists and 10 sympathisers have been arrested by police, he said.