VISAKHAPATNAM : In a major success for the police in recent times, deputy commander of the Korukonda area committee Vanthala Mallesh surrendered before the district police at Lambasingi of Visakhapatnam agency Friday. Mallesh (40) was carrying a reward of `1 lakh on his head.
DIG A Ravichandra told newsmen that Mallesh had realised that it was futile to indulge in armed struggle and killing innocent people. Mallesh was also fearing for his life from the police and that his family would be left in the lurch if something were to happen. Mallesh had 41 cases against him, including six murders, arson and property offences in various parts of Visakhapatnam agency. He was also involved in several attacks on the public and police.
“Mallesh was deputy commander of the Korukonda area committee having 15 members. He has `1 lakh reward on his head and the government was mulling to increase to `4 lakh,” said the DIG. He also said that Mallesh was a wielder of .303 weapon and a pistol and surrendered them to the police.
Mallesh told newsmen that he was bidding farewell to arms since he was already 40 years old, and was finding it difficult to live in the forest areas. He had also developed several health issues apart from feeling guilty that he had left his family members to fend for themselves.
Meanwhile, superintendent of police Koya Praveen said that he would be provided with all benefits that surrendered Maoists are entitled to from the government and appealed to other Maoists to surrender. He also mentioned that the Visakhapatnam agency was totally under control and combing operations would continue without any interruption.