PATNA: Ten Maoist fighters, including three women and three area commanders surrendered before police in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga district on Wednesday.
The two area commanders- Ramdhin Kherwar and Kaleshwar Kherwar – had a Rs 2 lakh reward on their heads, said Amol Venukant Homkar, DIG (Ranchi range), to whom the leftwing rebels surrendered. One of the Maoists is a sub-zonal commander, he added.
With Lohardaga in central Jharkhand being among the State’s worst Maoist-infested districts, these surrenders are considered quite an achievement for State police. This is the first time so many Maoist guerillas have surrendered to police in the district, said officials.
More than 30 Maoists have surrendered in the past six months, added officials. Twenty-two of the State’s 24 districts have been affected by Maoist activities for close to two decades.
“These surrenders have sent out a positive message among the people, especially those living in rural areas under the shadow of leftwing activities,” said Amol Homkar.
The surrendered Maoists would be rehabilitated as per the provisions of the State government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy for leftwing rebels, he added.
The three women Maoists are Meena Oraon, Sushanti Oraon and Seema Oraon, said police. The other Maoists were identified as Suhram Kherwar, Harendra Oraon, Chandreshwar Oraon, Jitendra Ganjhu and Sukhlal Nagesia.
Sources said State police and paramilitary forces had begun intensified combing operations in central Jharkhand since Monday, after getting tips-off about Maoist presence in Lohardaga and Ranchi districts.
Homkar said the ten Maoists who surrendered had contacted the district police expressing their desire to do so.
In February, seven Maoist leaders with a bounty of Rs 43 lakh on their heads, had surrendered before police in East Singhbhum district. They included the dreaded Kanhu Munda and Fogra Munda, with bounties of Rs 25 lakh and Rs 10 lakh respectively on their heads.