Naxalites killed a surrendered Naxalite at Murgaon village in Dhanora tehsil in north Gadchiroli on Saturday night. This incident takes the total number of surrendered Naxalites killed this year by Maoists to four.

Around 50 Naxalites dragged Anandrao Koram (23) from his house, tied him to a tree and slit his throat in full public view. “Before killing Koram, the Maoists abused him for surrendering and providing information to the police,” said Additional Superintendent of Police Anant Rokde.

“Koram (23) and his wife Vanita Narote used to operate in the Potegaon Dalam before they gave up arms,” Rokde added.

Earlier in March, Maoists had vented their ire at two youths from Kondawahi village in Etapalli tahsil, quickly following it by killing Raju Netam of Kandli village of the same tehsil. Netam was instrumental in making 54 Naxalites of his tehsil surrender.

“The Maoists, after killing Koram, threatened that they will continue targeting surrendered Naxalites,” Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Naxalite Operations) Pankaj Gupta told The Indian Express.

“Operation Sarvodaya, through which we have begun building bridges with the tribals who have quit Naxalism, has queered the Naxal gameplan. This is why they are resorting to such violent acts,” he added.

Gupta further said: “Many of the surrendered Naxalites stay on the police station premises and long to return to their village. We take a written statement from them if they insist on leaving.”

Koram and Vanita, who had surrendered on April 24, returned to their village after spending sometime at the Dhanora police post.