Malkangiri: A Maoist, carrying a cash reward of Rs 2 lakhs on his head and allegedly involved in several incidents of crime and violence, surrendered before the police in Malkangiri district, Sunday, Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Khilari said.
He did this with a desire to return to the mainstream society, Khilari added.
The Maoist is known to be Mahadev Madkami, a resident of Kankerapra village of Dantebada district in Chhattisgarh district, who was a Maoist-Incharge and area committee secretary of Darvha division and Chaitu Surakhya Committee.
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The Maoist was active mostly in Malkangiri and nearby areas in Odisha and he carried a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh announced by the Government of Odisha, the SP said.
Suspected to be involved in many incidents of crime, including assault and killing of civilians, exchange of fire with security forces and destruction of government properties, Madkami told police that he decided to give up the path of violence as he was disillusioned by the Maoist leaders.
Madkami saw various developmental activities being undertaken by the government in this area and realized the futility of the violent path of Naxalism before deciding to join the mainstream of the society, SP Khilari added.
People want development and police is providing security for these works which are being welcomed by people Maoists are losing support in Swabhiman Anchal and other parts of Malkangiri, Khilari added.
Their cadres became disheartened with the organisation and they are surrendering as they realized that Maoists are not for the development of the region or for the welfare of the people, he said.
Madkami joined the maoist group in the year 2015 and was working as the area committee secretary of Chaitu Surakhya Committee under Darva Division of Dandakaranya Special ZonalCommittee (DKSZC).
Madkami will be provided with monetary assistance as per the Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme of the Odisha government, SP Khilari informed.
PNN