A key Naxal Commander carrying cash reward of Rs2.10 lakh on his head, surrendered before police in the insurgency-hit Kanker district, on Monday.
Superintendent of Police, Kanker RN Das informed that Maharu alias Gadwa Mandavi (30) was the Commander of Military Platoon number 25 of the banned CPI(Maoist). He rested arms before police and have decided to join the societal mainstream.
The SP informed that Mandavi, a key Naxal cadre has decided to shun the path of violence was deeply dissatisfied with the hierarchy in Maoist cadre dominated by ultras from Andhra Pradesh.
Mandavi claimed that senior Maoist leaders were allegedly involved in extorting money from the locals and a handsome part of the extortion money goes in the hands of cadres from Andhra Pradesh, the SP said. Increasing pressure of security forces in the region was another major factor that compelled the Naxal Commander to quit the Maoist cadre, the SP added.
Detailing about the background of Mandavi, police informed that he is native of Kalepar village of Kondagaon district and had joined Maoist cadre under the influence senior Maoist leaders in 2004. Since then, he was active in Rawghat, Partapur, Koyalibeda area of north Bastar region.
Mandavi had received special training in handling weapons, including rifles, making bombs and planting explosives, SP said adding, he is also an expert in laying ambushes in the restive region.
The surrendered Naxal was involved in several deadly attacks on police parties in Kanker region wherein several police jawans were martyred. Police had declared cash a reward of Rs 2.10 lakh on his head. The cadre will be given assistance as per Rehabilitation Policy of Chhattisgarh Government, the SP said.