BHUBANESHWAR: A top Maoist couple, each carrying a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh on their heads, surrendered before Malkangiri superintendent of police Jagmohan Meena on Friday.
Bijal Kadme (26) and his wife Soni Oyam alias Nande (23) were wanted for their involvement in a series of offences across Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
A native of Pedakarme village under Ganglur police limits in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, the couple faced ill-treatment at the hands of senior cadres of the organisation, Meena said.
"Both of them decided to give up the path of violence and return to the mainstream citing miserable condition of lower-ranked members of the outfit. They said the senior cadres were self-centred and paid no heed to their problems," he added.
The couple further alleged that the outfit has deviated from its original ideology and was indulging in atrocities on innocent tribal people, the SP said.
"The duo decided to surrender in Odisha as they found the benefits under the surrender and rehabilitation policy attractive," Meena said.
A member of Central Reorganisation Committee of CPI (Maoist) in Chhattisgarh, Bijal joined the outfit in Ganglur Local Organsing Squad (LOS) in 2008 and was later transferred to the 2nd CRC.
He was arrested in 2012 and in jail for four years. When Bijal was released in 2016, he rejoined the party after being instigated by some senior leaders.
The 26-year-old rebel was accused of killing contractor PK Swain of Govindpalli, blast of a police outpost and attack on CISF base at Damanjodi (all in 2009). Besides, he was also charged with murder of a home guard under Annavaram police station limits and Mukram ambush in Chintalnar area (both in AP) in which 76 CRPF personnel died in 2010.
His wife Nande joined Ganglur LOS in Chhatisgarh in 2009 and later shifted to 2nd CRC in 2010. She too was involved in several incidents of violence such as Darakonda tower blasting under Sileru police limits, killing of Bishu Kirshani and Rama Madkami of Sudhakonda village under Kalimela police limits earlier this year, attack on police vehicle in Koraput in 2011 in which four police personnel were killed apart from several exchange of fire, police said.
Kadme had joined the outfit in 2008 and Oyam was inducted the year after.
The Odisha government, under the surrender and rehabilitation policy, offers financial assistance to purchase a homestead land, construct house and pursue education or vocational training.
(With PTI inputs)