Parlakhemundi, Odisha:
A key Maoist leader, allegedly involved in over 20 incidents including murder and abduction, surrendered before the police in Odisha's Gajapati district today.
Pratap alias Naseeb Nayak of Aliganda village under Adaba area of Gajapati, was an area committee member in Odisha Maobadi Party of naxal leader Sabyasachi Panda, DIG (southern range) Amitabh Thakur told reporters.
Mr Thakur said that Pratap had joined CPI (Maoist) Basadhara division in 2009 under the leadership of Azad and operating in Rayagada, Gajapati and boarding areas of Kandhamal.
After Panda formed Odisha Maobadi Party in April 2011, Pratap joined him as an area committee member, he said.
Pratap was involved in more than 20 incidents including the killing of two gram rakhis at Kattamma, firing at Gopinathpur, blasting of telephone tower at Aliganda and several encounters with security forces, the DIG said.
Pratap said he decided to lay down his arms because he was not pulling well with Panda for some time as he objected to his alleged illegal relationship with women cadres.
Moreover, he was not allowed to meet his family members, Pratap said, adding that even he was not informed about the death of his father.
DIG said Pratap will be extended all benefits under the surrendered policy of government.