Disenchanted with Naxalite ideology and the constant neglect of tribal people in the Maoist organization, a Maoist couple has surrendered. One of them was wanted in connection with 73 criminal cases, police said on Saturday. They were identified as Gopi Modiyam alias Mangal Modiyam (35), a resident of Bijapur, and his wife Bharti Kattam alias Rame (32), a resident of Sukma.
Gopi was a member of Maoist Ganglur area committee and carried a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head while his wife Bharti, a member of Maoist platoon number 2, was carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on her head, Bijapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamlochan Kashyap said.
Gopi became a Maoist cadre in 2002 and has served in different capacities in the Maoist body, the officer said. He was involved in incidents like looting bus passengers, ambushing police parties, attacking police camps and road opening parties. In all, 73 criminal cases were registered against Gope with different police stations, Kashyap added.