Did a Hardcore CPI(Maoist) Cadre Surrender in Odisha's Malkangiri?
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Bhubaneswar, Feb 4 (NationPress) A notorious CPI(Maoist) member surrendered to the authorities on Wednesday in Malkangiri, Odisha.
The police characterized the surrender of the senior member, Sukhram Markam alias Suresh and Yogesh, as a significant setback for the outlawed CPI (Maoist).
Sukhram, holding the position of Area Committee Member, renounced violence and opted to reintegrate into society before the Malkangiri Police.
During the surrender, Sukhram relinquished an SLR rifle, 12 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, two IED explosives weighing 2 kg each, and various other incriminating materials.
The cadre formally rejected violence, cut ties with extremist groups, and expressed a desire to participate in mainstream society, affirming his belief in the democratic process.
According to a senior official from the Malkangiri Police, "This surrender of an operational and ideological leader of the CPI (Maoist) delivers a decisive blow to their presence in Malkangiri, contributing to the district's path towards being Naxal-free."
The 32-year-old Sukhram, originally from Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, had joined the CPI (Maoist) through the Bal Sangathan in June 2010 and eventually ascended to the rank of Area Committee Member, serving as the Commander of the Kangerghati Area Committee.
He was reportedly a wanted man with a bounty of Rs 21 lakh on his head and had a history of involvement in violent activities, including attacks on police, kidnappings, and murders of civilians in both Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
The Malkangiri Police disclosed that Sukhram participated in an IED blast targeting a police patrol team in the Dandipadar–Mundwal forest in 2019, resulting in serious injuries.
Furthermore, Sukhram was known for training villagers in Maoist ideology and rallying them towards the Maoist Organisation.
"This decision signifies a conscious and pragmatic acceptance of the Government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, illustrating a clear rejection of violent extremism in favor of peace, development, and lawfulness," emphasized the Malkangiri Police in a press release.