400 Maoist Supporters Surrender in Malkangiri in Odisha

Malkangiri, Odisha: In continuing spate of surrenders, about 400 Maoist supporters, including 45 members of the Left Wing Extremism militia group and village committee members, surrendered before the police in Odisha's naxal-hit Malkangiri district yesterday.

Malkangiri district superintendent of police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra told reporters that those who surrendered belonged to six villages under Materu gram panchayat.

He said the villagers would be provided assistance to lead a peaceful life in their respective villages.

As some criminal cases were pending against some members of the militia group, the SP said the government would be suggested to consider their cases sympathetically as per the law.

They face charges like assisting the ultras in killing, extortions and other violent activities.

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Some of the villagers who surrendered said they decided to delink with Maoist groups as they kill innocent people and force others to help them in illegal activities.

"We will not allow the Maoists to enter our village," they added.

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With today's surrender about 1,000 people have so far laid down their arms within a span of only 12 days, the SP said adding it was a positive sign as Maoists would no longer get the villagers' support.