Maoist couple surrenders in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district

A Maoist couple, allegedly involved in multiple attacks on security forces and collectively carrying a reward of Rs 7 lakh, surrendered in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

Raipur:A Maoist couple, allegedly involved in multiple attacks on security forces and collectively carrying a reward of Rs 7 lakh, surrendered in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, a police official said.

Madkam Aayta (25), allegedly involved in at least 17 Naxal-related incidents, and his wife Padaam Pojje (23) turned themselves in before police officials in Sukma town citing their disillusionment with "hollow" and "inhuman" Maoist ideology, Superintendent of Police Sunil Sharma said.

The duo also said they were impressed by a Naxal rehabilitation drive launched by the district police, he added.

Aayta, who was active as a "commander" of the Kerlapal LOS (local organization squad) in the district, located about 400km from state capital Raipur, joined the outlawed movement in 2004 in the children's wing of Maoists, the Sukma SP said.

He was allegedly involved in at least 17 incidents of Naxal violence, including deadly attacks on security personnel and murder of civilians, between 2012 and 2020 in interiors of Sukma, Sharma said, adding he was carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head.

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Similarly, his wife Pojje, who was active as a "deputy commander" in the same squad, was wanted in connection with five Naxal incidents, including an attack in the Phulbagdi area of the district in 2018 where five jawans were injured, he said.

She was carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on her head, the SP said.

Both were given immediate assistance of Rs 10,000 each and will be provided more facilities as per provisions of the state government's surrender and rehabilitation policy for Naxals, he added.

PTI