Malkangiri: A hardcore woman Maoist with reward of Rs 1 lakh on her head surrendered before the district police today.
The Maoist identified as Naina Khilo was under the scanner of Odisha police and security forces after she became an active member of the Gumma area in 2016.
Briefing mediapersons on the development, BSF DIG Bijendra Singh said that women cadres are terrified with torture and misbehaviour from top cadres and looking for return to mainstream.
"Rebels like Naina are choosing to walk away from the extremism particularly because of the growing assault on woman cadres and murder of innocent tribals." Singh said.
“The recent developmental activities in these regions especially the construction of Gurupriya Bridge has brought hopes among the disillusioned ultras," he said adding that security camps entering these cut-off areas have also prompted many cadres to surrender.
Speaking to reporters, Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena said, the police along with BSF are urging the ultras to choose the mainstream.
Naina was involved in several cases including attack on Ramaguda police on October 24, 2016 and on Tikripada police on December 2017. She has also been accused of setting afire dozens of vehicles deployed for road construction works in cut-off areas of the district.