AMN  /

A hardcore Maoist who carried Rs 1 lakh reward on his head and was allegedly involved in many crimes, surrendered before the police in Malkangiri district. Superintendent of Police, Mitra Bhanu Mohapatra said, Maoist, Mesha Muschhaki and 126 of his sympathisers belonging to Silakota village, surrendered before the Malkangiri District Collector and superintendent of police.

Armed cadres of CPI (Maoist), on whose head government of Odisha has declared one lakh reward has surrendered with us yesterday. His name is Mesha Muschhaki he was active in Podialur Along with him 126 members of Jan-militia of village Silakota has surrendered with us to join the mainstream. And We welcome them to the mainstream of the society.

A large number of villagers from Silakota who had accompanied Mesha told the police that they were earlier forced to support the Maoists due to fear, but now they realised that development work in their area was being hampered due to Maoist activities. The villagers also took a pledge that they will stop supporting the Maoists in any manner henceforth and work for the development of their area.Prakash Das, for AIR News, Bhubaneswar.”