Maoist Guerrilla Member ‘Prabhu’ Surrenders In Odisha
Prabhu is a native of Chhotanagara in neighbouring Jharkhand and had been active in Maoist activities for the past two years: police sources
BHUBANESWAR: A Maoist guerrilla cadre identified as ‘Prabhu’ surrendered before Rourkela Police in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Tuesday, police said, describing it as a significant development in anti-Maoist operations along the Odisha–Jharkhand border.
According to police sources, Prabhu is a native of Chhotanagara in neighbouring Jharkhand and had been active in Maoist activities for the past two years. He allegedly joined the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation in 2014 and was associated with a guerrilla camp, where he participated in organisational and operational tasks. Police said he had expertise in handling explosives.
Prabhu is wanted in at least two cases registered at Bisra police station in Rourkela, officials said.
Rourkela Superintendent of Police Nitesh Wadhwani said the surrendered cadre had links to several Maoist incidents in the past and that his surrender could help security agencies gain further insight into Maoist networks operating in the border region. Detailed investigations are underway.
Police shared the details at a press conference, stating that the surrender reflects the impact of sustained outreach and pressure on extremist groups.
Northern Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Brijesh Kumar Rai said the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy was encouraging cadres to lay down arms.
“The Odisha government has a strong surrender policy for Maoists. As a result, a hardcore cadre from the bordering region, Prabhu, laid down arms today before Rourkela Police. We hope other Maoist members will also surrender,” Rai told media persons.