In yet another success to Jharkhand Police under Operation Nayi Disha, a top Maoist of Sub-Zonal Commander level stature in CPI (Maoist) shun his weapon and surrendered before the police on Tuesday to return to mainstream society. The police said that Baleshwar Oraon aka Baleshwar Ji, aggressively active in latehar and around, chose to surrender because he found himself being completely misguided and misused against his own people back there in villages, by his top leaders.
The surrender of Baleshwar Oraon, coordinated by latehar SP Anup Birthare under the Palamu Range DIG Vipul Shukla and senior police officials posted at the Police Headquarters, brings a sigh of relief for latehar Police. “latehar has remained one of the most favourite destinations for Maoists so far. However, this is the fifth senior level Maoist surrender event from the district, which does possess a sign of new dawn there,” said Birthare on the occasion.
State Police Spokesperson and IG (Operations) MS Bhatia said that this was 28th surrender this year, which had taken the total number of surrender in the State to 109 after the birth of Jharkhand. He said that Baleshwar Oraon was having immense influence at his level in the organisation, as he had worked with Bada Vikas also. He had got at least 10 cases registered against him in last four years.
A resident of Khairahi under Balumath Police Station of latehar, Oraon has been said to be inspired with the similar decision of Bihar-Jharkhand Special Are Committee (BJSAC) member Balakeshawar Oraon aka Bada Vikas, who had surrendered before Jharkhand Police on July 14 to join mainstream of development and peace.
DGP DK Pandey welcomed Baleshwar Oraon in mainstream with open arms. “This surrender is again a proof that the disillusionment of Maoism has no future. We want to welcome all such youth to be a part of development for them and their families,” Pandey added.
“There have been similarities in recent surrenders. All of them confirmed that the Maoists have diverted from their principles and senior leadership was busy in making money and fortune by themselves, while they are forcing their subordinates to get engaged in anti-social activities. This is why Maoists have started making better decisions of going back to the mainstream of the society,” added Bhatia.
Birthare added that after Baleshwar Ji, latehar has been left with only three senior level Adivasi Maoist in CPI (Ml). “Birsai, Chhotu Kharwar and Ravindra Ganjhu are the only three Adivasi Maoists left now, who have some influence in the district. Efforts are on to bring them also in the mainstream,” said Birthare.
Active in latehar to boarders of loherdaga since last eight years, Baleshwar Oraon carried Rs 5 lakh bounty on his head by state, which will be given to him as per surrender and rehabilitation policy of state government in addition to an immediate release of Rs 50,000 as welcome gesture. Oraon, supposedly in his late 20s, said that he was disillusioned to join the Maoist camp in latehar in 2008.