2 woman Maoists surrender in Odisha, allege sexual harassment!

Kalahandi: Two hardcore woman Maoists surrender in Odisha identified as Manisha Thati (21) and Champa Koram alias Sajanti (22). Reports say that, they were Party Members of 8th company and of Mahanadi Area Committee of Kalahandi Kandhamal Boudh Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI (Maoist) respectively.

Reports say that, they both surrendered before IGP, Southern Range, Berhampur, Odisha at Boudh District. Both the surrendered Maoist cadre are of Chhattisgarh origin. Their task was to reactivate the North-South corridor from Jharkhand to Chhattisgarh through south-centre Odisha. They were working in CPI (Maoist) organisation since 2018 and were involved in several violent incidents both in Chhattisgarh and Odisha state.

They have surrendered to live a normal life. According to them, they were disturbed and frustrated by the continuous unethical activities in Maoist organisation like sexual harassment of female cadre, extortion of funds through intimidation and induction of young boys and girls in the organisation by false promise and propaganda. They also expressed that they were disillusioned by the high- handed activities and rude behaviour of senior Maoist leaders towards the lower rank cadre, encouraging cannabis cultivation and trade, disruption of electoral processes, etc. They were also attracted towards the policies of the government for the development and upliftment of the tribal people.

They were assured by S.P. Boudh that they would be suitably rehabilitated under the surrender and rehabilitation scheme of the Government, which includes financial assistance, homestead land, house build assistance, education assistance and vocational training with monthly stipend.

With interaction with them it has come to light that another 10 to 12 Chhattisgarhi cadre have fled away from camp in last two month. We are trying to establish contact with them. They have also given us information about nexus of Maoist in narcotics trade and other extortion activities.
We appeal to all disillusioned cadres who have chosen the wrong path by misleading propaganda, to come forward and surrender before us. The surrender policy of Government of Odisha will help them to lead a normal and happy life in the mainstream.

While welcoming the two surrendered Maoist carders to the mainstream of the society IGP, Southern Range, Berhampur, Odisha, appealed the Maoist to shun violence and join the mainstream society and partake in the process of development and tribal upliftment. He stated that the Anti-Maoist operation will be further intensified in the affected areas till the problem is completely stamped out from the state.