Malkangiri: Even as Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) are losing support in their stronghold of Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in the State, Koraput district continues to witness the surrender of Maoist supporters. Over one hundred Maoist sympathisers in Malkangiri district shunned violence and surrendered before the police on Monday.
Sources said, the supporters belonging to Bara and Sanaguma villages of Kartanpalli panchayat under Mathili police limits came in several groups and met the superintendent of police (SP).
The Maoist sympathisers were frustrated with the ideology of the Red rebels and decided to join the mainstream to lead a peaceful life, a senior police officer stated.
Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said the surrendered Maoist sympathisers would be rehabilitated as per the surrender and rehabilitation policy of Odisha government.
“The authorities will take necessary steps to ensure the benefits of the welfare policies of the government reach them,” he said. That apart, measures would be taken to facilitate development of the backward region, he added.
The Maoist sympathisers said they had been supporting and assisting the ultras out of fear. They surrendered themselves before the police in order to lead a peaceful life.
Over 300 Maoist sympathisers from various villages under Mathili police limits have surrendered in the last one month. Another 276 Maoist sympathisers from other police limits in Malkangiri have also surrendered before police during this period.