Steady surrender by naxal sympathisers in Odisha’s Malkangiri district

As many as 2,577 sympathisers of outlawed CPI (Maoist) return to mainstream during past six months.

As many 907 sympathisers including 467 active militias have surrendered before Odisha police and Border Security Force (BSF) in Swabhiman Anchal, once a hotbed of left wing extremists.

The surrender of large number of sympathisers and active militias is considered as a significant shift in the fight against outlawed CPI (Maoist).

These 907 persons including women belonged to Andrapali, Gajalmamudi, Jantri, Nakamamudi, Jodambo and Panasput gram panchayat of Odisha’s Malkangiri District and Bungaput gram panchayat and Kumuda gram panchayat of Alluri Sitharam Raju district of Andhra Pradesh.

These gram panchayats used to be stronghold of CPI (Maoist) where security forces were finding it difficulties in venturing into.

“All these villages are located on the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border. These Maoist supporters used to assist extremists in the violent activities and were involved in killing of security forces and civilians,” said Nitesh Wadhwani, Superintendent of Police of Malkangiri.

Mr. Wadhwani said, “the surrender indicates growing opposition to Maoist ideology. Before surrendering, they gave slogans against CPI (Maoist) . Developmental initiatives of the State government coupled with the strategic deployment of security forces motivated the villagers to join the mainstream.”

Swabhiman Anchal, erstwhile Cut-Off area, used to remote region and used to be accessed only by boat. After construction of a bridge over Gurupriya, Swabhiman Anchal did not remain cut off.