Seven disillusioned Maoists surrender in Chattisgarh

Kanker, Feb 1 (ANI): Denouncing violence and exploitation, seven Maoists surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarh's Kanker District with the hope of turning over a new leaf with the help of the rehabilitation policy offered by the Central Government.

The Maoist cadres, including four men and three women vowed to start their life afresh before Superintendent of Police, Kanker, Rahul Bhagat and Inspector General of Police, T J Langkumer, on Monday.

Briefing media, Bhagat said the surrendered Maoists against being forced to indulge in were fed up with criminal activities.

"These people were frustrated in the organization and were being exploited. They were not convinced with the ideology, which was imparted to them by the Maoists. They were facing lot of problems in the organization. They also faced discrimination on the basis of caste and region," Bhagat said.

Bhagat added that police would be taking up the entire responsibility for the security of surrendered rebels and would provide them the benefits as per the surrender policy initiated by the government.

This particular surrender has been considered as the most prominent in the last few years.

Speaking after the surrender, Sunil Kumar Matlam, who has been operating in the rebel hotbed for past 12 years, said he chose to return to the mainstream, as he did not want to continue to kill and rob innocent villagers.

He admitted that ultras do not want the state to progress and prosper as economic development would weaken their base.

"The administration is trying to mainstream us which is very good for us. On the other hand we were under a lot of pressure from the Maoist faction of Andhra Pradesh," said Matlam.

Matlam further revealed that there is a disagreement on various issues in the camp and thus more and more rebels are expected to surrender soon.

"Yes, there is a difference of opinion among the Maoist groups. More and more people will come forward considering my move and I would also welcome them," said Matlam.

Matlam also appealed his colleagues to lay down their arms as they could have a better future as compared with the present nomadic life full of bloodshed and violence.

Disillusioned with the movement after enduring exploitation and harassment by the Maoist cadres, a woman Maoist Sushila said Maoists used women as shield during combat, since police personnel hesitate attacking women.

"Basically, they need women who can cook food and take care of belongings and when there used to be firing, Maoist ultras used to push us in the front as they knew police personnel hesitate to open fire at women. The atmosphere is not good. They do not treat us properly and on top of that we have to move around from one place to another and live under harsh circumstances," said Sushila.

She also cited several incidences of mental and physical exploitation and brutalisation by the Maoists. The Maoists also forced the women to undergo vasectomy to ensure that they have no families and stayed with the cadres.

Despite strong measures initiated by the Central Government to crush the ultras, the Maoist insurgency has gripped nearly a third of the country, spreading into the interiors of 20 of India's 28 states. (ANI)