Sukma: As many as 20 Naxalites, 11 of them carrying a collective bounty of Rs 33 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Wednesday, police said.
Out of the 20 Naxalites, nine are women, including a hardcore cadre of the Peoples’ Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion no.1, which was considered as the strongest military formation of Maoists, an official said. They turned themselves in before senior police and CRPF officials here citing disappointment with “hollow” Maoist ideology, atrocities committed by cadres on innocent tribals and growing internal differences within the banned outfit, Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said. Those who surrendered were also impressed by the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ (your good village) scheme of the state government, aimed at facilitating development works in remote villages and the new surrender and rehabilitation policy, he said.Sharmila alias Uika Bhime (25), member of the PLGA battalion no.1 of Maoists, and Tati Kosi alias Parmila (20), member under west Bastar division of Maoists, carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, the official said.