Wanted Naxal commander surrenders in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Jun 2: A

commander, carrying a reward of Rs 2.10 lakh on his head, on Monday surrendered in the

-hit Kanker district of

, police said.

Maharu alias Gadwa Mandavi (30), an active member of military platoon no 25 of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) expressed his desire to join mainstream and surrendered before police, Kanker Superintendent of Police R N Dash said.

According to the Maoist cadre, he was frustrated with the high handedness of senior leaders from Andhra Pradesh who allegedly suppressed cadres from Chhattisgarh and exploited them.

Maharu also alleged that senior CPI (Maoist) leaders were involved in extorting money from the locals and a handsome part of it went into the hand of cadres from AP, Dash said.

Several other factors including the increasing pressure of security forces in the region mentioned by Maharu compelled him to quit the movement, the SP said.

A native of Kalepar village in Kondagaon district, Maharu had joined the movement in 2004 and had been active in Rawghat, Partapur, Koyalibeda area of north Bastar region.

An expert in laying ambushes in restive areas, Maharu had received special training in operating weapons, including rifles, making bombs and planting explosives, the SP said.

Maharu was wanted in several deadly attacks on police personnel in Kanker region, he said. The cadre will be given assistance as per Rehabilitation Policy of Chhattisgarh government, the SP added.

PTI