3 Maoists surrender before Rourkela Police in Odisha

Three Maoists who were active in Sundargarh and Sambalpur-Deogarh area surrendered before Rourkela Police and 19th Battalion CRPF on Friday. They were identified as Joseph Munda (35), Siprien Munda (29) and Panalal Bhakta @Sukanth @ Sushil (17). While Joseph and Suprien belong to Sanbalijor village under K. Bolang Police Station Panalal belong to Tirlakutch village under Gurundia Police Station.

In a joint press briefing Rourkela Additional SP S.C.Jamadar and CRPF Asst. Commandant S. Jadav said that Joseph was a cadre Naxal and involved in many violence. He joined the outfit in 2009 after being motivated and threatened by Madhusudan Tarkot @Gopal and got arms training in Gundurijoda. He was carrying a country made rifle and involved in murder of Deonath Singh of Langalkata under K.Bolang police station, planting of landmine between Jumudihi and Langalkata road, Relhatu ANM centre Blast, Sanbalijore school building blast, Relhatu Panchayat building blast. He left party in 2010 was living in his father-in-law’s village. His father Natheniel and younger brother Johan were also in same group.

Suprien the brother-in-law of Joseph joined the group in 2007 under the pressure of same Madhusudan Tarkot @Gopal and was involved in the blast of Sanbalojore and Relhatu school buildings. Left party in 2010 and was working as daily labourer at Jharsuguda. Panalal who joined the group in October 2014 being motivated by Susant @Anmol @Samarji was carrying .303 rifle. He was in the jungle area of Sambalpur-Deogarh and was cooking food for party members. Frustrated with Maoist ideology he surrendered before police.

They all stated that they never supported Maoists ideology but remained with them under coercion. Maoists leaders were exploiting them for their own personal gain.