Malkangiri: In a jolt to left wing extremists, a hardcore woman Maoist surrendered before the Commandant of BSF’s 144th Battalion and Malkangiri SP here, Monday.
Shanti alias Debe Madhi, a resident of Kusulkonda in Chintalwada gram panchayat under Kalimela police limits in this district had joined the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in 2008. She was an active member of the Kalimela local operating squad from 2008 to 2011. Since 2012, she was working in Gumma area committee under Malkangiri-Koraput-Vizag border division of the banned outfit. Shanti was carrying a cash reward of Rs 4 lakh on her head.
Several cases, including those of arson, murder and exchange of fire with the police, are pending against her at various police stations in the district.
She was an active member of the Kalimela area committee and was involved in around 16 violent incidents since 2010 including the recent exchange of fire near Andrapalli panchayat under Chitrakonda police limits September 10, 2018.
Addressing reporters, Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena said, “Shanti will be provided monetary assistance as per the Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme of the Government of Odisha.” She will also get financial assistance for a house, education, and training in a trade or vocation of her liking, the SP added.
Shanti decided to quit the outfit after the Gurupriya Bridge brought development to the area, the SP said, adding, “She abhorred cadre Dhanjaya Gope alias Sudheer, who was a womaniser and involved in brutal killing of civilians.”
She decided to join the mainstream after she saw the developmental activities carried out in Malkangiri and realised the futility of the violent approach of Maoists.
PNN