Three CPI (Maoist) rebels, including an area commander of central committee member Anal Da’s cadre, surrendered to the police in Ranchi on Monday – a development that is claimed to be a result of aggressive anti-insurgency operations by security forces coupled with the surrender policy framed by the government to encourage Left Wing Extremist rebels to shun the gun.
CPI (Maoist) rebels Bailun Sardar, Suraj Sardar and Geeta Munda officially surrendered in presence of Inspector General (Operations) AV Homkar, Inspector General (Special Task Force) Anup Birtharey and other senior police officials on Monday.
IG AV Homkar said that the rebels have been forced to step back and rethink their future because of the extensive combing operations by security forces. Several rebels, Homkar said, died during the recent combing operations while many were nabbed by security forces.
“This comes as a major achievement for us. The three rebels who surrendered today were members of deadly cadres of the CPI (Maoist),” said the IG.
Police sources said that Bailun Sardar was an area commander in Anal Da’s unit, and his surrender has weakened the rebel leader’s stand in Jharkhand. Anal Da alias Patiram Manjhi has a reward of Rs.1 crore on his head. Bailun and Suraj Sardar hail from Saraikela Kharsawan, while Geeta Munda was born in Tamar block of Ranchi district.
At least 19 of 24 districts in Jharkhand are LWE-affected, as per figures with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Besides the main CPI (Maoist) group, at least 17 splinter outfits are also active in different parts of Jharkhand.
If police sources are to be believed, CPI (Maoist) zonal commander Maharaj Pramanik, a rebel with a bounty of Rs.10 lakh on his head, will also surrender to the police on November 12. He has been in contact with police personnel in Saraikela since August, sources said.
“Insurgents often surrender after ensuring that they can trust the police, and the negotiation happens at different levels,” said an IG rank official, requesting not to be named.
The benefits provided under the surrender policy for LWE rebels in Jharkhand have also played an important role in negotiation with the insurgents, sources said. The State cabinet recently decided that ultras who surrender under the policy will now be kept in open jails, a development that is likely to make more rebels join the mainstream.