Juvenile Maoist carrying Rs 2L bounty surrenders in Odisha

A juvenile Maoist carrying a cash reward of Rs 2 Lakh on his head surrendered at the Malkangiri SP's office on Wednesday.

The Maoist surrendered before Charan Singh Meena, the South Western Range DIG. The minor Naxalite, who hails from Chhattisgarh’s Sukma Village, had joined the banned outfit in 2023.

The minor was actively involved in several major attacks, including one in EoF in May 2024 that resulted in the deaths of four police personnel. Another major attack that he was involved in took place in late 2023 where he and 49 other Naxals engaged in EoF with security forces in which 5 police personnel were killed in Daram-Waram. A day after this incident, the Maoists engaged in another exchange of fire which also resulted in the deaths of 5 police personnel and 2 Naxal cadres. 

As per sources, the minor had a change of heart and decided to leave the Maoist group influenced by the recent appeals made by the Government of India and the Odisha Police to abandon violence and join the mainstream society.

Also Read | Potato Laden West Bengal Trucks Finally Enter Odisha after Successful Negotiation

Odisha Police has appealed to other active Maoist cadres to follow suit and become part of the peaceful development process. The government has promised proper rehabilitation, including financial assistance for housing, education, and vocational training for those who surrender.