A top CPI Maoist cadre carrying a bounty of Rs 4 lakh on his head surrendered before police in Balangir district on Sunday, the Balangir police said in a tweet.
The Red rebel identified as Aitu Korsa, an area committee member (ACM) of Committee of Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division surrendered before Northern Range DIG Deepak Kumar and Balangir SP Nitin Kusalkar.
Aitu is a resident of Mankelli village under the Gangaloor police station in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. However, he was active in several Maoist divisions in Odisha.
“He (Aitu) has been active in Odisha for the last eight years. He had earlier worked in the Balangir, Bargarh and Mahasamund (BBM) division of the CPI (Maoist) and later joined the KKBN division. The State Government's surrender and rehabilitation policy for the Maoists are encouraging these cadres to surrender,” said the DIG at a Press meet. Aitu was involved in an IED blast in the Gochapada police station area in 2017, killing of a civilian in the Phiringia police station area in 2019, firing on a police station in Kodanga in April , he added
“As per the appeal of the Odisha Chief Minister and DGP, I have surrendered before the State police today. Maoists have been involved in protesting the developmental scheme which according to me is wrong and therefore I decided to give up arms,” said Aitu who surrendered at the Balangir police Headquarters. Meanwhile, DGP Abhay praised the efforts of the Balangir police and appealed to Maoists to shun violence and surrender. "I again appeal to the Maoists to desist from violence and surrender. They should join the mainstream.
“Aitu Korsa, ACM of KKBN division Chhattisgarh, surrendered before DIG NR today at Balangir. I again appeal to the Maoists to desist from violence and surrender. They should join the mainstream. Well done SP, Balangir,” the DGP tweeted