Maoist chief Kishenji's close aide Suchitra Mahato surrenders before Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, Mar.9 (ANI): Suchitra Mahato, a close aide of former Maoist topgun Koteshwara Rao alias Kishenji, surrendered before the West Bengal Government on Friday.

It maybe recalled that Kishenji was killed in an encounter last year.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed credit for Suchitra's surrender, saying that the latter had responded to her government's "offer of peace".

An injured Suchitra had earlier fled following the killing of Kishenji by the joint forces on November 24 in the Burisole Jungle.

"This is a big achievement for both the government and my brothers and sisters (Maoists)," said Banerjee, flanked by Mahato and her new husband Prabir Garai.

She said that Suchitra surrendered to the Intelligence branch before meeting her at Writers' Building.

"Suchitra is injured and requires treatment. She has come to surrender with her newly-married husband responding to the government's offer of peace," Banerjee said, renewing her appeal to Maoists to abjure violence and surrender.

Suchitra was earlier married to Maoist leader Sashadhar Mahato who was killed in an encounter with the joint forces in West Midnapore district on March 10 last year. Her surrender followed that of dreaded Maoist woman leader Jagori Baske on November 17.

Baske, who was wanted for the killing of police officer Partha Biswas and his schoolteacher friend Saumyajit Basu in Purulia in 2010, had surrendered with her husband Rajaram Soren and son Bahadur Soren.

Noting that Suchitra had received wounds in the waist during the November encounter, Banerjee said, "She requires good treatment. It will taken care of." (ANI)