Three ultras lay down arms in Jajpur

The rebels were identified as Harish Badra, Laba Badra of Baligotha village in Jajpur and Banamali Jerai of Jamabahali village in Keonjhar district, Jajpur superintendent of police D S Kuttey told reporters.

They decided to shun violence and join the mainstream as they were disillusioned with Maoist activities, he said.

Several cases were pending against them in Jajpur, Keonjhar and Dhenkanal districts including January 2 encounter at Raighati in which five Maoists were killed, attack on Daitary police station and abduction of its ASI Umesh Marandi and killing of Kuna Behera under Daitary police station, he said.

They were influenced to join the Maoists through various inducements but after they joined they were tortured by the Maoists and even not given food for days together, he said.

Harish, who had sustained bullet injury during Tomka encounter, was not treated, Kuttey quoted him as having alleged.

The trio would be rehabilitated as per the government policy, Kuttey said.