Bhubaneswar/Koraput, Odisha Police on Thursday declared Koraput district “Naxal-free” after the surrender of an area committee member of the banned CPI, officials said.
Odisha Police has declared Koraput district ‘Naxal-free’The surrendering cadre has been identified as Mamata Podyami, also known as Mamita and Soni, a resident of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. He was carrying a grace ₹5.5 lakh, police said.
DIG Kanwar Vishal Singh said the woman surrendered with an SLR rifle.
“He will be entitled to financial assistance ₹5.5 lakh has been declared on his head, with an additional ₹1.65 lakh for surrender of arms. Also, he will get all benefits under the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state,” the DIG said.
“After his surrender, Koraput is now a Naxalite-free district,” the DIG said, urging the remaining cadres in other parts of the state to join the mainstream and lead a dignified life.
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“I appeal to CPI cadres and leaders to come forward and join the mainstream society. The Odisha government assures that all cadres who choose to surrender will get full support, protection and assistance under a comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration programme, to enable them rebuild their lives peacefully and with dignity,” DGP YB Khunia said.
Koraput, which has witnessed several incidents of left-wing extremism in the past, has seen significant improvement in law and order in recent years, with tourists from across the country visiting its forests, hills and waterfalls, an official said.
The district witnessed a major Maoist attack in April 2009, when the rebels laid siege to Damanjodi town. Eleven CISF personnel and four Maoists were killed in a gunfight following an attack on the armory and bauxite mining facilities of public sector NALCO in Panchpatmali.
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With this development, Koraput has become the fourth district under the South West Police Range, after Malkangiri, Nuapada and Nabarangpur, to achieve “Naxal-free” status, police said.
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