Over 100 Maoist sympathisers surrender in Malkangiri

Malkangiri: In a further jolt to the already dwindling support base of Maoists, over 100 supporters of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit laid down their arms before the district police here on Tuesday.

Police said, the supporters belonging to three villages under Mathili police limits vowed to shun violence while surrendering before the superintendent of police (SP).

Frustrated over the Red rebels’ activities, they decided to give up arms and join the social mainstream, police said adding they will be rehabilitated as per government norms.

SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said he will take measures to rehabilitate the ultras as per the government policy.

Senior police officials said they would work to ensure that all welfare schemes of the State government reach the inaccessible tribal pockets to strengthen the socio-economic status of the region.

With this, over 1000 Maoist sympathisers from various villages under Mathili police limits have so far surrendered before the police in the last one month. Earlier, around 276 Maoist supporters from other areas in the district had also laid down their arms before the police during this period.