Bhawanipatna/ Malkangiri: A wanted Maoist surrendered with two of his accomplices in Kalahandi district while another hardcore ultra was arrested in Malkangiri district Saturday.
Suka Majhi (20), carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head and his two militia supporters surrendered before security forces during an anti-insurgency operation in Karlapat reserve forest in Kalahandi district.
The surrendered ultra, hailing from Mulunga village under Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, had been inducted into the banned outfit six years ago by Maoists, Kalahandi superintendent of police (SP) Brijesh Rai and deputy commandant of CRPF 64th Battalion Suryamani Behera told reporters.
Majhi, who was present at the press meet, said he had been imparted training by the Red rebels in Chhattisgarh and was later brought into Orissa to operate in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi districts.
In Kalahandi, he was working in the Bansadhara-Ghumsar- Nagabali division as an armed cadre.
Recently Majhi, who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was operating in Karlapat, Gundi and Kahandual mali reserve forest areas, the SP said.
Majhi alleged that he was subjected to harassment and on many occasions had faced assault by senior cadres.
Gradually, he got disillusioned with the organisation and was looking for an opportunity to quit.
Along with him, two other local militia members who were providing support to the Maoist cadre working in their area, also gave themselves up under duress, the senior official said adding their identity was not disclosed due to security reasons.
A report from Malkangiri said police Saturday arrested Guja Kabasi (35), a hardcore Maoist of Kukurkunda village under Mathili police limits and seized 40 mobile phones from his possession.
According to police, Guja had warned the residents of Mahupadar, Kamarpalli, Temurupalli panchayats under Mathili police limits against using mobile phones and snatched the devices from them. He was also accused of taking villagers to ‘Praja court’. Besides, he had involvement in several violent activities in the past, officials said.
According to reports, Maoist leader Sunadhar was killed near Bhejaguda village during a gun battle with the police a few months ago. Sunadhar had handed over the handsets to him, the arrested ultra said.
Police are verifying the handsets and the ultra would be produced in a court Sunday, inspector-in-charge Rajkishore Das said. PNN
