Eight members of the banned CPI (Maoist), including three women, surrendered to security forces in Ranchi on Wednesday. The police revealed that all those who surrendered are between 18 and 22 years old.

The surrendered individuals were identified as follows: 21-year-old Jairam Bodra, who is involved in 11 cases; Sarita alias Mungli, 20, who is named in six cases; Somvari Kumari, 21, with two cases pending; Martam Angaria, 21, named in five cases; Tungir Purty, 18, facing one case; Patar Koda, 18, named in two cases; and a couple, Kusnu Sirka, 22, and Sanju Purty, 19.

These individuals were facing charges of murder, rioting, attempt to murder, and cases registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

IG (Operations) Amol Homkar commented, “The Jharkhand government is committed to making the state free of Naxalites, and the surrender and rehabilitation policy is having a positive impact. The Naxals are surrendering due to internal oppression within the CPI(Maoist), an environment of fear, and increased police raids. Eight persons, including three women members of CPI(Maoist), who worked directly under the Central Committee member Misir Besra, surrendered on Wednesday.”

Homkar also mentioned that those who surrendered will be provided with facilities for rehabilitation under a government scheme to bring Maoists into mainstream society, including vocational training.

In 2022, Jharkhand Police arrested 36 operatives of the CPI (Maoist) and other splinter groups. “Last year, 12 members of CPI(Maoist) and splinter groups surrendered, and 11 were killed in encounters, with 36 being arrested,” said Homkar, adding that multiple raids and encounters led to the seizure of 625kg of explosives, 186 arms, 997 IEDs, and Rs 1 crore in cash.

Several security camps have been established in various parts of Jharkhand, with a total of 44 operational according to police data. These camps are distributed as follows: 11 in the Tri-Junction area, 11 in Saranda-Kolhan, nine in Budhapahad, six in Parasnath, four in the Chatra-Gaya border, one in the Teenkoniya-Patmada Bengal border, and two in the Podahat forests.