On the first day of Naxal Shaheedi Saptah, being observed by Maoists in Bastar region, 14 Maoists surrendered before police in the insurgency-hit Sukma district on Sunday.
“They were disappointed with the Maoist ideology and hardships of the jungle. They also had lost faith in violence perpetrated by Naxals in the Bastar region,” a local police officer said.
The Shaheedi Saptah is observed by Maoists every year in memory of their fallen comrades. Beginning from July 28 the week will conclude on August 2.
Of the surrendering ultras six were involved in criminal offences like blazing vehicles deployed in road construction, obstructing roads, illegally handling arms and looting polling material during 2015 Panchayat elections, police said while adding Sukma district court had issued permanent warrant for their arrest. They will be provided compensations as per the policy of state government, police claimed.
Notably, according to police 160 Naxals have surrendered in 2019 while 244 were arrested by security forces. In the same period dead bodies of 34 Maoists killed in different encounters were also recovered in the Bastar region.
