16 Maoists surrender in Bihar with huge cache of arms

Muzaffarpur, Mar 14 (UNI) Responding to the government's appeal to return to the mainstream, 16 Maoists, including five 'Area Commanders', surrendered before the local authorities here with a huge cache of arms and ammunition.

The extremists, who were persuaded to return to normal life by the Special Task Force(STF) Commander Ganesh Paswan and his six member team, yesterday surrendered before District Magistrate Binay Kumar and Superintendent of Police Ratan Sanjay at a function here.

They laid down two landmines, six detonators, two stenguns, four Insus rifles, seven revolvers, two double-barrel guns, three country-made guns and about 50 kg of explosives, besides more than 60 rounds of live cartridges.

Describing this as a major success of anti-extremist operations in the state, Mr Kumar later told newsmen that the surrendered ultras, who hailed from Katra, Gaighat and Aurai areas of the district, would soon be properly rehabilitated with financial assistance up to Rs two lakhs each.

He also urged the surrendered guerillas to persuade other members of the underground outfit in Bihar and neighbouring Jharkhand to shun violence and ensure farewell to arms to return to normal life.

The surrendered extremists comprised five self-styled 'Area Commanders', wanted in connection with several cases of murder, loot and arson in several districts of North Bihar and Jharkhand for long, officials sources here said.

UNI XC-ABA LL PL KLC/RN1516