For the third consecutive day of a surrender spree, as many as 57 Maoist supporters, including 25 women, gave up arms on Sunday before the police in Malkangiri district.
According to Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, the Maoist supporters surrendered before Malkangiri Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Madkar Sandeep Sampat.
“The 57 Maoist supporters, including 11 militia and two village committee members, of Kalimela and Padia Dalam units of Maoists surrendered at the Kalimela police station,” Mohapatra told reporters.
He said all these people would be rehabilitated under the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the State Government.
“Necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the welfare schemes of the Government reach them,” he added.
Notably, 19 Maoist sympathisers had surrendered before the Malkangiri SDPO on Saturday while 19 more had given up arms on Friday. On Friday too, a woman cadre Maoist, Muli Munda, had surrendered before the Bonai Additional SP in Sundargarh district.
Sources said around 315 Maoist supporters, including militia members, have surrendered in the last one week in the State.
However, a former sarpanch of Tentuliguma panchayat under Baipariguda block in Koraput district was found murdered on Sunday with his throat slit.
The body of Gobardhan Bhumia was found in the morning lying near a road at Mantriamba village. The motorbike he used was also found nearby.
Maoist involvement is being suspected in the incident, given their influence in the area and past record of involvement in violent activities. No Maoist poster, banner, leaflet or message, however, was found from the crime spot.