Police have arrested as many as eight Maoists including two senior leaders carrying cash rewards in insurgency-hit Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, police said on Saturday.
A police team undertaking anti-Naxal operation in the district nabbed eight insurgents identified as Ayatu Modiyami, Kamlu lekaam, Budhram Poyam, Sukhman Poyam, Maada Kunjami, Mangu Aayami, Rayalu Madkami and Sukhram Madkami, police said.
Ayatu was carrying a cash reward of `3 lakh and working as Deputy Commander of a local Guerilla Squad (lGS) and the Government had declared cash reward of `2 lakh on head of Kamlu who was active in the region as member of platoon number-2 whereas other arrested Naxals were active in the organisation as lower rank cadres, police further informed.
The arrested rebels were involved in some serious crimes including murder, loot, attack on police personnel and others.
In another case, an insurgent along with a country-made pistol and 13 live cartridges turned himself in before the police in Bijapur.
The surrendered Naxal has been identified as president of Dandakaranya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh Raghunath Gavde, police said, adding that senior police personnel have given immediate relief of `10,000 to Gavde.
During preliminary investigation, it came to light that Gavde was associated with the red movement from last 15 years and has worked on various capabilities, added police.
Police further informed that citing resentment with exploitation and discrimination made within the organisation by senior Maoist leaders from Andhra Pradesh, Gavde surrendered before the police to join mainstream.
Necessary assistance will be provided to the surrendered ultra as per the provision of Chhattisgarh Government’s Rehabilitation and Surrender Policy, police said.