Odisha Police secure surrender of two key Maoist figures

Bhubaneswar, Aug 30: Two high-ranking members of the banned CPI (Maoist), Puja Tati (35) and Saita Padam (31), surrendered to Odisha Police on Friday. Puja, also known as Paro, hails from Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh and served as the platoon commander for the Bargarh local organizing squad (LOC). Saita, also known as Raghu, led the Balangir LOC and is originally from Sukma district.

Both individuals had rewards of Rs 4 lakh and Rs 3 lakh on their heads, respectively, and were actively involved in expanding Maoist operations in the Bargarh and Balangir districts.

They turned themselves in to IG Police Northern Range, Sambalpur, Himanshu Lal, and Bargarh SP Prahalad Meena. IG Lal stated, “The surrender of these two Maoist cadres is a significant blow to left-wing extremism in the Gandhamardan region.”

The militants decided to surrender after realizing that the Maoist group had deviated from its original ideals. They reported that the organization was engaging in extortion, targeting innocent civilians, and harassing both physically and psychologically, including sexual abuse of Chhattisgarh cadres, particularly women.

The duo will be rehabilitated according to the government's Surrender and Rehabilitation policy. IG Lal also urged other Maoists to abandon violence and reintegrate into society, emphasizing that the state government is committed to eradicating Maoist activities and will intensify its efforts in the future.