Malkangiri: Two dreaded Maoist couples, who used to unlease a reign of terror over the years in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, Tuesday shunned guns and settled down for conjugal bliss with Bastar police donning the role of cupid.
The marriage rituals of Mansaya-Padmini and Lachhmati-Budura were completed at a Durga temple in Darbha on International Day for World’s Indigenous Peoples (World Tribal Day). The four were involved in several violent incidents under Darbha Mao-division in Chhattisgarh. Their marriages were solemnised in the presence of Bastar SP RN Das, IG SRP Kaloree, collector Amit Kataria, people’s representative of the region, many surrendered ultras and villagers.
Giving details about the function, SP Das said Manasaya and Padmini joined Darbha Mao-division as cadres in Katakalyan area when the two were barely 14. They developed feelings for each other while working for the oganisation. However, they had to leave the fold and surrender before police as the hardcore rebels didn’t approve of their relationships.
Similarly, Budura and Lachhmati also met the same fate like Manasaya and Padmini.
The four were involved in killing of innocent tribals suspecting them as police informers, attacked private companies, killed of security personnel and were part of many other violent incidents. Their names were also featured in the police’s ‘most wanted’ list. Failing to bear the torture inflicted on them by senior cadres and to win the hearts of each other, the four surrendered.
Later, they expressed their desire to make their relationship institutionalised before the police. The wedding ceremony was conducted under Vedic and tribal traditions, police said. PNN