Inspired by Odisha Govt’s Development Works, Over 500 Maoist Supporters and Sympathizers Join Mainstream in Malkangiri

Malkangiri: Inspired by the development works carried out by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha Government, more than 500 active Maoist supporters and sympathizers on Monday joined the mainstream in Malkangiri district.

The active Maoist supporters and sympathizers of villages Dabal Pahad, Ralegada, Chintalduli, Korrapalli, Tekpadar, Palankrayi, Tatipahad, Eskapalli, Sarukabandha, Durgam, Banajholi, Chikatpalli, Jajpalli, Gajalmamidi, Sitapalli of Ralegada GP, PS Papermetla under Swabhiman Anchal (Chitrakonda block) of Malkangiri district surrendered before Malkangiri police at Janbai BSF camp in presence of Nitesh Wadhwani, SP, Malkangiri and DIG, BSF, Malkangiri.

All these villages are located in the Odisha-AP border and was the erstwhile stronghold of Maoists. Swabhiman Anchal has seen maximum violence over last two decades. These Maoist Supporters used to assist the Maoists in violent activities and were involved in killing of Security Forces, Civilians & were supplying all logistics to them, the Malkangiri police said.

The surrendered militias/supporters exhibited their opposition towards the Maoist ideology by burning the dress materials of Maoists and demolishing the Maoist Martyr Pillar and gave slogans “Maobadi Murdabad” before a large group of media before surrendering.

Swabhiman Anchal was considered as a Liberated Zone and Maoists ran Janatana Sarkar there. 37 Greyhound jawans, 07 BSF personnel, 04 Odisha Police personnel and 40 innocent local tribals were killed by the Maoists. Thousands of local villagers had to leave the area out of fear.

Swabhiman Anchal, comprising of 9 GPs and 182 villages, which was safe haven of Maoists of Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee(AOBSZC) of the CPI (Maoist) for more than 2 decades, is undergoing fast turnaround. With the construction of Gurupriya bridge and special developmental packages of the State Government coupled with the strategic deployment of Security Forces inspired the villagers to join the mainstream. Recently, Gurupriya Bridge was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in 2018 which heralded the series of developmental activities like construction of new roads, bridges, project to supply drinking water, electricity to all the houses of the area. Medical facilities like boat Ambulance and 112 Ambulance services have been started. Many roads and bridges have been completed. Pisciculture has been started in big way. Many boats have been given to GPs to operate for transportation. Mobile towers installation has been taken up on priority basis.

Earlier on 02.06.2022, 50 active hard core Maoist supporters had surrendered before Hon’ble DGP, Odisha and on 11.06.2022, 397 Maoist supporters had surrendered before Malkangiri police & BSF at Jantri BSF Camp and joined mainstream.