Four hardcore Maoists from the Dhanatari-Gariaband-Nuapada (DGN) division have surrendered before the Chhattisgarh police, marking a major success in the ongoing anti-Maoist operations along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.
The surrendered cadres include Deepak alias Bhima Mandavi, a divisional committee member; Kailash, a member of the security team of Modem Balakrishna alias Manoj; and area committee members Ranita alias Payki and Sujita. All four were involved in multiple criminal cases in Nuapada district and had been active in the Maoist organisation for over a decade.
The surrender took place in the presence of Raipur IG Amaresh Mishra and Naxal Operations IG Ankit Garg. The operation was jointly conducted by Gariaband and Dhamtari district police, CRPF battalions 67 and 211, and COBRA battalion 207.
During a combing operation in the Badagobara forest near Menpur police station, security forces engaged in a brief exchange of fire with Maoists. The rebels retreated, allowing the forces to seize a Maoist camp. The search yielded Rs 16.5 lakh in cash, a laptop, electronic devices, 31 live bullets, 2 detonators, 8 BGLs, 12-bore rounds, and several Maoist magazines.
The surrender is seen as a blow to the Maoist organisation, which has been steadily losing ground in the region. Deepak carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh, while Kailash and Ranita had Rs 5 lakh each, and Sujita had Rs 1 lakh.
Security forces continue combing operations along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, aiming to dismantle remaining Maoist strongholds and restore peace in the region.
