MALKANGIRI: As many as 145 persons, including four members of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) and their sympathisers surrendered to the Malkangiri police on Saturday.
The Maoists, identified as Rama Madakami, Sanu Orami, Rama Kabasi and Bira Umami also laid down their munitions before Malkangiri superintendent of police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra.
Out of the surrendered persons, 53 men and 29 women belong to Kurub village and 39 men and 24 women hail from Marigeta village, Mohapatra said.
“We are verifying the identity of the Maoists. They will be rehabilitated as per the policy framed by the state government,” he added.
This is second such incident after the police encounter on a Maoist camp killing 30 red rebels in Malkangiri forest on October 24 and fourth this year when the supporters of the left wing extremists have surrendered in such a huge number.
Earlier on November 8, 94 Maoist sympathisers including three women from Sudhakonda and Rajalkonda villages of Kalimela block had surrendered before the police. Among them, 25 were Maoist militia and six were village committee members.
Similarly, nearly 100 Maoist supporters from three villages under Mathili block had surrendered before the police on April 5, vowing to shun violence.
Previously, on March 21, 270 Naxal sympathisers had taken a pledge before the police not to render any help to the ultras in Malkangiri district.