Woman Maoist surrenders in Odisha, claims women cadres exploited

Bhubaneswar: A woman Maoist fighter surrendered before police in Odisha's Rayagada district on Wednesday and alleged physical and mental exploitation of women cadres in militants' camps.

Reena Mallik (25), a woman cadre of Niyamgiri Dalam division, had worked with arrested Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda from 2008 to 2010. She is a suspect in five incidents of Maoist violence between 2009 and 2016.

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"I joined the Maoist group in 2008 and married Maoist leader Bikas in 2011. However, I decided to lay down arms after I was asked to abort my pregnancy," said Reena.

Rayagada Superintendent of Police K. Siva Subramani said the incident highlights gender discrimination in militants' camps and women members mostly perform sentry duties in Maoist camps.