Maoist surrenders in Chhattisgarh district

Kanker (Chhattisgarh), Aug.13 (ANI): Distressed by Maoist atrocities, an ultra surrendered before the police here on Saturday.

The surrendered Maoist has been identified as Rajesh Kothai. He participated in several Maoist operations across the state.

"He was continuously being harassed by other Maoists and was not happy. He was not getting food on time, and therefore, got ill. He wanted to meet his family, but was not allowed to. After being completely distressed, he decided to leave, but was forcefully taken back by the Maoists. Yesterday night, he was in the area with other Maoists, when he finally decided to move out of the ultra group," said Superintendent of Police of Kanker district, Rahul Bhagat.

Bhagat credited various measures being taken by the state administration to motivate Maoists to return to the mainstream, including providing a special financial package to support the surrendered ultras and their families.

"I think the attempts made by the administration to motivate ultras to surrender, have helped more and more Maoists to leave the rebel group," he said.

Interestingly, over the last few months, there has been a significant rise in the number of disillusioned Maoists in several insurgency-hit eastern, central and southern states.

The increased offensive of Indian security forces against Maoists, the sexual exploitation in the rebel camps, the constant uncertainly and disillusionment with Maoist ideology are the main reasons why many cadres choose to surrender.

Kothai, who surrendered along with a few arms and ammunitions, said he was forcefully inducted in a Maoist camp and witnessed several atrocities carried out by Maoists on locals.

"They used to come to our villages and spread bad words about the government. They pressurized us to get on their side. Maoists used to loot rice and harass locals," said Kothai.

The Maoist insurgency has gripped nearly a third of the country, spreading into the interiors of 20 of India's 28 states.

Despite stringent measures taken by the authorities in curbing the violent insurgency, Maoists have stepped up their surgical attacks on democratic institutions of the nation on the pretext of 'fighting for the rights of the oppressed.'

The guerrilla war, waged mostly from the forests of central and eastern India by ultras of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist, is now seen as the biggest internal security challenge, say analysts.

Hundreds of people have been killed and injured in the violence perpetrated by the rebels as well as in counter-insurgency operations by the security forces. (ANI)

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