In a yet another remarkable breakthrough for the Jharkhand Police under its operation Nayi Disha, a zonal commander-level Maoist Deepak Sahu aka Tilakman Sahu left his violent ideology in front of DGP DK Pandey on Wednesday to return to the mainstream of development.
Deepak, a resident of Umra Natitoli in Palkot Police Station of Gumla had as many as 34 cases against him, mainly in Simdega and Gumla in the last 15 years.
As per the surrender and rehabilitation policy for Maoists by the State Government, the DGP handed him a cheque of Rs 5 lakh, the amount which was kept as bounty on Deepak, and a cash assistance of Rs 50,000 right after his surrender.
He will also be provided a piece of land to take his livelihood ahead after his return home, apart from being provided with a skill development programme of his interest and caliber with Rs5,000 as monthly stipend during his training days. His children's education expense will also be provided by the Government till their Graduation, which could go to the upper limit of Rs25,000, yearly.
ADG (Operations) SN Pradhan said on the occasion that other than these 34 cases, Deepak had been involved in as many as seven encounters with the police. "One of his major operations was the attack on Bansjor Police Station in Simdega on the eve of 2008 New Year, in which one policeman was martyred and a couple of others were injured," Pradhan said. He also appreciated Simdega SP Rajiv Ranjan for continuously pressurizing Deepak by motivating his family members to get him to surrender for a better life.
Deepak had joined the Vikas Khariya gang in 2002 and was promoted as area commander of Palkot Raidih in 2004. He didn't look back till he became sub-zonal commander of Simdega zone in 2007, which was his last designation. However, he claimed to have been promoted as Zonal Commander of Gumla and Simdega last year itself.
Deepak's surrender is being seen as a major blow to the Maoist set-up in Jharkhand Police after it was successful in motivating Balkeshwar Oraon two-months-ago to quit Maoism. Deepak's surrender has taken the number of Maoists opting for a new life this year to 12.
The DGP said that this was yet another proof that operation Nayi Disha that was begun with the intention of getting Maoists back to the mainstream was moving in the right direction.
"We were able to motivate 13 Maoists to drop the gun under this operation last year. As far as this year is concerned, we have almost reached that number just in eight months and hope to motivate many others to join the mainstream. But I also warn, that those who drop the gun would be welcomed with garlands, and those who decide to keep on being a threat to civilized society would be treated accordingly," he said.
"I didn't become a Maoist in response to any kind of harassment to my family or me. I was immature, just around 12-years-old and was lured by some misguided minds. Now I will try to help others not to move on a path which turns darker with every step," said Deepak.
Police claimed that after becoming the father of a baby-boy just six months ago, it became easier for Deepak to understand where he had been heading. Though he has not married the mother of that child yet, it is not unusual for the tribe he belongs to and plans to marry once he comes out of jail after all the cases against him are furnished via court.