MALKANGIRI: At least seven Maoist aides from Jantapai area in the cut-off region, who were involved in the abduction of the then Malkangiri district Collector R Vineel Krishna in February 2011, surrendered before SDPO Manas Ranjan Barik at Chitrakonda on Sunday.
Natives of Jantapai village, the surrendered Maoists have been identified as Gopi Tamarbi, Budu Golori, Raghunath Lulur, Sinesh Pelsal, Padu Golori, Gudia Kimudu and Ananda Pangi, police said. Speaking to ‘Express,’
Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena said the situation in Jantapai, considered a Maoist hotspot, has undergone a tremendous change after a Border Security Force (BSF) camp was established there last month.Meena said the militia members had extended logistical support to the Maoists for Vineel Krishna’s abduction in 2011. “To everybody’s surprise , the district police set up the BSF camp at Jantapai overnight last month leaving no time for the Maoists to protest or instigate the villagers”, the SP said, claiming that the villagers have been supporting the district police.
“The surrender of the Maoist aides from Jantapai is the outcome of civic action programmes and the functioning of police with a humane face while emphasising on better public-police relationship”, Meena added.