Malkangiri: Sixteen days after the death of 27 cadre Maoists who were killed during encounter with the Grey Hound squad of Andhra Pradesh police, Odisha Police and SOG in Panasput area of Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri district, 94 Maoist sympathisers including three women surrendered before the police in the district today.
Talking to media persons, Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said of the 94 Maoist sympathisers of Sudhakonda and Rajalkonda villages of Kalimela block, 25 are Maoist militia and 6 are village committee members.
“These Maoist sympathisers have said they decided to surrender as the Red Rebels have deviated from the Mao ideology and are indulged in the brutal torture of innocent tribals,” the SP added.
He also said the police will take lenient view of the cases registered against those who have surrendered. “Besides, efforts will be made to rehabilitate them under the surrender rehabilitation policy of the state government,” he informed.
A fierce encounter took place near Panasput village in the cut-off area of Chitrakonda block in the wee hours on October 24 in which 24 Maoists were killed. Police later recovered three bodies from the area.