VISAKHAPATNAM: CPI (Maoist) Area Committee member Dirido Deva (34), a resident of Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, surrendered to police in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district on Tuesday.
Deva laid down arms before Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Bardar and Additional Superintendent of Police (OPS) Jagadeesh Adahalli. He joined the Maoist party in 2001 at the age of 14, influenced by Area Committee member Bejji and LOS Commander Vetti Rama, who frequently visited his village.
Over the past 25 years, he worked in various wings of the party, including Balala Sangham and DAKMS, serving as Platoon Commander, Action Team member, and Instructor for new recruits.
At the time of surrender, Deva was serving as Konta Area Committee member and was considered an expert in handling and planting IEDs and booby traps.
He was reportedly involved in two murder cases, 13 exchanges of fire with security forces, two incidents of burning road construction machinery, several instances of planting IEDs, and concealment of explosives and Maoist literature in forest areas of multiple villages. The SP stated that Deva surrendered due to increased police operations and the establishment of new security camps in Maoist-affected areas, which restricted Maoist movement.
He also cited declining public support, disillusionment with party ideology, personal and family issues, and awareness of government rehabilitation benefits as reasons for leaving the outfit.
“All eligible benefits under the surrender and rehabilitation policy, including financial assistance, land, and employment opportunities, will be extended to him,” he assured.
He also appealed to other Maoist members to voluntarily surrender at the nearest police station or approach senior police officials through relatives or well-wishers.