Bhadradri Kothagudem: Muppidi Sambaiah Surrenders
BHADRADRI KOTHAGUDEM: Muppidi Sambaiah, a senior leader of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and Odisha state secretary, surrendered before police on Sunday.
Sambaiah, also known as Sudarshan and Vikas, walked out of the Baloda forests near Saraipali in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh and laid down arms along with 14 other Maoists. They surrendered automatic weapons to the police.
A reward of ₹73 lakh had been announced on the group. The government had declared a ₹25 lakh bounty on Sambaiah.
Pressure from combing operations
Officials said the surrenders followed sustained combing operations under the Centre’s ‘Operation Kagar’ led by the Union Home Ministry. Nine of those who surrendered were women and six were men.
Sambaiah, 57, hails from Taralapalli village in Hanamkonda district. He had been associated with the Maoist movement since 1985.
A journalist mediated with local police, following which Sambaiah and his associates agreed to join the mainstream.
Rehabilitation assistance assured
Those who surrendered along with Sambaiah include Mangesh, Babu, Manoj, Prameela, Karuna, Reena, Sonu, Pandu and Ranila.
Police said rehabilitation assistance would be provided to all the surrendered cadres.
