Chitrakonda: As many as 180 Maoist militia members surrendered before the Malkangiri police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at Swabhiman Anchal under this block in Malkangiri district, Saturday morning. The militia members burnt their Maoist fatigues and laid down their arms supporting various developmental works undertaken by the government. They surrendered at Dabuguda and Dhakadpadar in Jantri panchayat in the presence of SDPO Anshuman Dwivedi, BSF commandant and district officials.
At about 10am, 180 Maoists including active militias, village committee members, sympathisers and members of Gana Natya Sangha laid down their arms before the police and district administration. The surrendered militias hail from Dhakadpadar, Dabuguda, Taber and Arlingpada villages of Jantri gram panchayat under Jodambo police station of Malkangiri district.
Police said the surrendered Maoists were involved in exchanges of fire, arson, civilian killings, hoisting of black flags instead of national flag, torching of vehicles, boycotting of elections, supply of food and logistics to Maoists, passing of information about movement of security forces, intimidation of innocent tribals.