'Tortured, discriminated': 5 Naxals involved in 32 major crimes surrender in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh

Bijapur, Chhattisgarh: In the state police’s ongoing campaign to eradicate Maoism, five individuals, including top commanders affiliated with the banned Maoist group, surrendered before the security forces. This decision came after they grew disillusioned with their banned organisation's discriminatory behaviour towards them in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh.

Identified as Paiku Hemla, Guddu Tati, Sannu Tati, Santu Potam, and Sonaru Potam, these individuals were involved in 32 major crimes, including an attack on the convoy of Bijapur MLA. Chhattisgarh's Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sudip Sarkar stated that the surrendered Maoists held key positions within the Gangalur and Bhairamgarh area committees. They served as militia commanders, deputy commanders, members of the Gram Rakshak Dal (GRD), and were responsible for various violent incidents in the past.

Dissatisfaction, discrimination, torture: Reasons for surrender

However, according to DSP Sudip Sarkar, "Their decision to surrender came as a result of their dissatisfaction with the discriminatory behavior, continuous torture, and the hollow ideology propagated by the Naxals, leading them to renounce the ideology and surrender."

Reports indicate that the Chhattisgarh government's rehabilitation policy played a significant role in influencing their decision to renounce the Maoist cause. As part of the surrender and rehabilitation policy, the government has provided a cash incentive of Rs 25,000 to each surrendered Maoist.

Adding to the intrigue, Sarkar revealed that Santu Potam, one of the five who surrendered, had been a member of Battalion Number One's communication team with the state police since 2021 and also opted to surrender.