Disillusioned,16 Orissa Maoists surrender

The anti-Maoist operation in Orissa got another major boost when 16 rebels involved in several attacks on forest offices in Gajapati district surrendered before the police on Saturday....

The anti-Maoist operation in Orissa got another major boost when 16 rebels involved in several attacks on forest offices in Gajapati district surrendered before the police on Saturday.

Ultras from seven villages of Adaba area in Gajapati surrendered before district SP Sanjib Arora. The rebels,aged between 18 and 35 years,had joined Maoist activities in 2008 and undergone training in various fields including handling of different weapons,said Arora.

The ultras were active in Gajapati district and involved in several operations,including attacks on forest offices in July 2009 in Paniganda area of Gajapati,the SP said. In December last year,the same Maoists were involved in torching of four buses of the Orissa State Road Transport Corporation at Raipanka.

After their surrender,the rebels were given Olive fatigues to wear as they appeared before the press in Gajapati. One of the Maoists,Rajendra Desi Majhi said he was disillusioned by the Maoist way of life. Majhi said he had joined the Maoists because they had promised him that his rebel brethrens would have a better life and his area would be developed. But nothing of that sort happened, he said.