Gadchiroli (Maharashtra): Two Naxals carrying a collective reward of Rs 12 lakh on their heads and allegedly involved in various killings, arson, and encounters have surrendered before the Gadchiroli police in Maharashtra, officials said on Wednesday.
The rebels were fed up with the violence, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Ankit Goyal said in a release, adding that many Naxals are getting attracted to the surrender policy of the state government.
From 2019 to date, 49 hardcore Naxalites have surrendered before Goyal, who has assured that all necessary assistance will be provided to those willing to lay down their arms and join the mainstream society, it said.
In the latest instance, the ultras who surrendered – Ramsingh alias Sitaram Bakka Atram (63) and Madhuri alias Bhuri alias Suman Raju Mattami (34)- were from Gadchiroli and carried rewards of Rs 6 lakh each on their heads, the police said. Mattami was recruited as a member of the Kasansur Local Organisation Squad (LOS) in 2002 and from 2013 to April 2022, she worked as an area committee member in Permili LOS.
She was involved in four murders, 21 encounters, seven incidents of arson, and five other cases, and 37 offenses were registered against her, the police said. According to police, Mattami surrendered as women in the outlawed movement were facing discrimination by senior Maoists.
Besides, Atram was recruited as a member of the Aheri LOC in 2005. From 2007 to 2012, he operated as the deputy commander of the movement and was involved in a murder and two encounters, the release said, adding that three offenses were registered against him.
He was attracted to the state government’s welfare schemes, the police said. Both Atram and Mattami will now get Rs 4.5 lakh each from the government for rehabilitation, the release said.
The Maharashtra government's surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy for Maoists has started bearing results. Altogether 49 rebels had laid down their arms between 2019 and 2022. The ultras after giving up armed rebellion and surrendering before the Gadchiroli police were leading a dignified life, police sources said.
(With agency inputs)
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