Twelve Maoists, including five women, surrendered before the police in Malkangiri district on Friday.
Most of these Maoists, including a couple, belonged to the Poplur Dalam and Kalimela Dalam in this Maoist-hit district adjoining Andhra Pradesh, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh told reporters. Muka Madkami of Kanaguda village, worked in the Kalimela Dalam as ‘assistant commander’ while his wife Gauri Matam (Sabita), also an ‘assistant commander’, was with the Poplur Dalam for the last five years, Singh said.
Four other women Maoists were Irne Madhi of Kosulkunda village and Subarna Khara (Jayanti), Purnima Khara (Nirmala) and Mukti Khila of Kuntipadar village. The others were Uddhab Kantari, Buddu Khara, Kosa Madkami, Buddu Hantal, Samara Bogdait and Mukka Madkami.
The rebels were involved in murder, encounters with police, setting off landmines, loot, extortion and burning of vehicles of Government and private companies and a panchayat office during the last five to seven years. The Maoists decided to return to the mainstream as they were harassed by senior ultras, the police said. The women claimed they were being sexually exploited by seniors, the sources added. More than 50 Maoists have surrendered in Malkangiri district in the last four months.