Eleven Maoists, including Divisional Committee Member (DCM) Nakul, surrendered before Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania in Kalahandi on Sunday, police said.
Nakul, a native of Maharashtra, carried a reward of ₹22 lakh as a DCM of the Odisha State Committee of Maoists. Of the 10 others, five are Area Committee members and five are party cadres, with cumulative rewards amounting to ₹63.25 lakh.
The Maoists handed over 11 weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, an Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle, four Self-Loading Rifles (SLR), four single-shot firearms and a 12-bore gun, along with a large quantity of ammunition.
The group was active in the Basdhara-Ghumsar-Nagabali division of the Maoists, covering parts of Kalahandi, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts.
Addressing the gathering at the Reserve Police Lines in Bhawanipatna town, Khurania said the surrender of senior cadre Nakul reflects the “steadily weakening influence” of Left Wing Extremism in the region.
The surrendered Maoists will get compensation amounting to ₹1.23 crore, including additional cash incentives of ₹60 lakh.
