VISAKHAPATNAM: A large number of Maoist militia, including women, surrendered to deputy inspector general of police (Visakha range) Soumya Mishra here on Saturday.
The 75 members of the tribal militia, affiliated to the Communist Party of India (Maoist) Korukonda Area Committee, reportedly told the police that they had supported the Maoists only due to their threats and not because they believed in the ideology.
The group led by Vanthala Premsingh alias Singuru of Rallagedda village of Chintapalle mandal in the district and other militia members of Kappagondi village, Mulakothuru and Gunjiveedhi village of Chintapalle mandal voluntarily surrendered before the DIG of police.
The DIG said that all the militia members were involved in 11 offences, including the torching of a BSNL tower at Lambasingi, setting fire to vehicles in Lothogedda village, damaging Essar pipeline at Balapam village, damaging APFDC quarters in Balapam and forceful occupation and redistribution of coffee plantation belonging to the APFDC, setting fire to a hydraulic excavator and cutting trees and blocking roads during the Maoist call for a nation-wide bandh.