20 Maoists lay down arms in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: The counter-insurgency operation of Chhattisgarh police today got shot in the arm when 20 Maoists, most of them carrying rewards on their head, surrendered at separate places of Bastar region.

With this, the total number of rebels laying down arms has reached to nearly 280 this year in the state.

Twelve Naxals, including three women, surrendered before senior police and BSF officials in Kanker district, citing atrocities on tribals and sexual exploitation of local women by senior cadres, Kanker Superintendent of Police RN Dash told PTI.

The Naxals who surrendered included military platoon-17 commander Somnath Kawre, carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh on his head, Korar local operation squad commander Rajnu Gota and others, all between 20 and 40 years, the SP said.

Kawre was involved in Chinpar ambush in which 3 CRPF jawans were killed, Kalighat encounter injuring two CRPF jawans, killing of three police personnel in Mahamaya mines in 2008, killing two BSF jawans in Etabalka Ambush in 2010 and other deadly attacks, the SP said, adding that he also extorted money from tendu leaves contractors.

"Senior Naxal leaders sexually exploited several tribal girls and if they got pregnant, the rebels allegedly forced them to undergo abortion. If the girls refused to do so they were killed. The Naxal leaders were also involved in extortion from poor tribals and local traders," he said quoting the statements of the cadres.

In another incident, eight cadres, including two women, surrendered in Kondagaon district.

The surrendered cadres of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) were working in Barda Dalam region for past seven years, Kondagaon Additional Superintendent of Police Surjit Atri said.

Among those who surrendered is Kiskodo janmilitia commander Baiju(30) who carried a reward of Rs 1.05 lakh, he said.