Two Maoists lay down arms before Odisha police

25 September, 2012

Facing harassment at the hands of their bosses, two youths, belonging to the tribal community, who worked as bodyguards for a Maoist leader have surrendered before the police in Odisha.

NATIVES OF Podapadar village of Narayanpatna block in Koraput district, Rauta Wadaka and Bata Sirika, members of Srikakulam-Koraput joint divisional committee of Maoist Party, surrendered before the superintendent of police, Koraput on Monday last.

The Superintendent of police, Avinash Kumar told the mediapersons here in his office that they have been working as bodyguards of Nachika Linga, President of Chasi Muliya Adivasi Sangh and to Maoists too. The two tribal youth were seen along with Nachika Linga during a joint combing operation of Special Operations Group (SOG) and Border Security Force (BSF) July 27.

“They were also present during exchange of fire between BSF and Maoists near Kanchanpadu village on 24.08.2011,” informed Mr Kumar.

They were also involved in burning of commander jeep at Mankirhi village and again they were spotted during exchange of fire between SOG, Greyhound and Maoists near Samana village on May 8 earlier this year. However, they managed to escape in all the incidents and finally surrendered on Monday, said Kumar.

The surrendered youth expressed that they have been harassed by both Naxals and Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh at the time of performing their duty for both Nachika Linga and Maoists. District Collector, Sachin Ramchandra Jadav appreciated the BSF DIG Akhilesh Kumar and Avinash Kumar for their motivation to encourage these Maoists to surrender.