MALKANGIRI: In a jolt to the outlawed CPI(Maoist) and at a time when they are fast losing their support base among the tribals, about 150 Maoist supporters, including 13 millitia members, 12 village committee members and two Ganga Natya members of the outfit from Temrupalli, Pujariguda and Kukurkunda villages under Mathili police limits surrendered before the police on Saturday.
The Maoist supporters went to Mathili police station and surrendered before Superintendent of Police Mitrabhanu Mahapatra, SDPO M Sanddep Sampad and 202 CoBRA Battalion Deputy Commandant Pawan Kumar.
Welcoming the Maoist supporters’ decision to join the mainstream, the police assured them that the administration will provide full support to them. Frustrated by the mindless killing of the innocent tribals by the rebels, the former Maoist sympathisers decided to join the mainstream, police said.
The Maoists are spreading a reign of terror in the region, the surrenders villagers told the police.
Temrupalli village had turned into a Maoist hotbed over the years with rise in Maoist violence. However, with the deployment of 202 CoBRA Battalion in Kiang area a few months back, Maoist violence has drastically reduced in the area.
Sunabeda-based 202 CoBRA Battalion commandant Mahendra Kumar said this is the first time that such a large number of Maoist supporters have surrendered.