Hardcore Maoist With Rs 4 Lakh Bounty Surrenders in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In a major success for anti-Maoist operations, a notorious Maoist operative from the Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagabali (BGN) Division, Bijaya Punem alias Ajay, surrendered before the Rayagada Superintendent of Police on Tuesday.

The surrender marks a significant setback for the outlawed CPI (Maoist), especially in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border regions where the group has remained active.

A native of Husur village in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, Bijaya laid down one pistol and eight rounds of live ammunition during his surrender. The Odisha government had earlier declared an Rs 4 lakh reward for information leading to his capture.

Police officials attributed his surrender to mounting pressure from security forces and worsening conditions within the Maoist ranks.

According to sources, Bijaya was involved in several deadly encounters between Maoists and security personnel in Odisha’s Kandhamal district and various parts of Chhattisgarh. He reportedly played a key role in armed confrontations at Tumudibandh, Raikia, Gochhapada, and Kotagarh in Kandhamal, as well as in Gariaband, Chhattisgarh. More than seven criminal cases have been registered against him for his involvement in insurgent activities.

Bijaya joined the CPI (Maoist) in 2009, undergoing basic military training before being assigned as a personal security guard to Modem Balakrishna alias Manoj, a senior Maoist leader. By 2014, he was promoted to Area Committee Member (ACM) and actively operated under the BGN Division as Manoj’s gunman. By 2024, he had risen to head the Ghumusar Area Committee within the division in Odisha.

Explaining his reasons for surrender, Bijaya cited growing dissatisfaction with the Maoist leadership. He alleged mental harassment by senior cadres, poor living conditions marked by food and water scarcity, constant fear of security operations, internal discrimination within the camps, and difficulties posed by language barriers. The cumulative stress, coupled with a desire for a better, more peaceful life, ultimately compelled him to abandon the path of violence.

Notably, Odisha’s surrender and rehabilitation policy for Maoists is regarded among the most effective in the country. The programme offers financial assistance, housing, education, and vocational training to help former insurgents reintegrate into society with dignity and security.