Three top Naxals surrender in Orissa - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Orissa Police achieved a major success in counter Maoists operation as three hard core Naxalites put their arms down before senior state Government officials. The surrendered Maoists are identified as Kamala Mandal, Bishnu Parida and Binayak Parida. According to Home Ministry, all these Naxalites surrendered on February 28. This is the first incident in Kandhamal District, where Naxalites put their weapons down. Kandhamal is one of the worst affected areas due to Maoists violence in the country. Kamala Mandal had joined the Vansadhara Division of CPI (Maoist) in 2003 in its earlier avatar of CPML-People's War, the other two had joined the organization in 2007. Both Bishnu Parida and Binayak Parida were involved in the attack on the Karada Forest Range office under PS Raikia, district Kandhamal on February 18, 2009, Home Ministry said. All the three surrendered Naxalites said that they had joined the organization ostensibly on account of the pro-poor image of the Maoists, but they soon got disillusioned after witnessing marked departure from ideology exhibited by the cadres, who openly indulge in extortion and harassment of people. The Government has expressed the hope that the overwhelming majority in this country will condemn the mindless unlawful activities and violence unleashed by the CPI (Maoist). The Home Ministry also expressed confidence that people will support the careful, controlled and calibrated efforts being made by the Central and State Governments to put an end to Naxal violence. On Tuesday, Union Home Secretary, G K Pillai asked why the non-governement organizations (NGO) which also claim to be fighting for the cause of the people, did not condemn Maoists violence. "I haven't seen any NGO coming out and condemning the kidnapping of the school teacher," Pillai said. Mr. Pillai added, "Whether kidnapping by Maoists is allowed? Is that permitted? Or are you scared to condemn the violence as the Maoists might not allow you to travel in Chattisgarh and other areas." Meanwhile, in Keonjhar, two female Maoist cadres, who surrendered in Orissa's Keonjhar District, on Wednesday alleged having suffered mental and physical abuse by their seniors. On Tuesday, the two Naxalites had given up arms by surrendering before senior Orissa Government officials. According to police officials, the surrendered Maoists alleged that women cadres were being tortured and they alleged that Maoists also molested women and girls during their raids in villages at night. The surrendered Naxals were identified as Malini Hosa alias Muni (20) and 17-year-old Bela Munda alias Lili. Both of them surrendered before Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashish Kumar Singh. According to police, both of them were involved in many incidents of violence in the District. Both the surrendered Naxalites said that they had joined the organization ostensibly on account of the pro-poor image of the Maoists, but they soon got disillusioned after witnessing marked departure from ideology exhibited by the cadres, who openly indulge in extortion and harassment of people. The Government has expressed the hope that the overwhelming majority in this country will condemn the mindless unlawful activities and violence unleashed by the Maoists.