Maoists surrender in Orissa

Rayagada (Orissa), July 7 (ANI): Three Maoist rebels have surrendered to the police in Orissa's Rayagada District.

The three Maoist rebels are Trinath Shrambutika, Prakash Kimbaka and Prakash Kimbaka.

Ashish Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP), Rayagada said that the surrendered Maoists were important members of Chandrapur Divisional Committee.

"Three Maoist of Chandrapur Divisional Committee have surrendered in front of the police on Monday evening. Shrambutkta is a history sheeter. He is in charge of Chandrapur Division. All three are very important members of Chandrapur Divisional Committee," said Singh.

Shrambutkta said that he surrendered because he could not identify himself with the Maoist ideology any longer.

"I have become a Maoist because I thought we could fight against the exploitation of tribals. But the Maoist ideology has changed and they are more involved in killing people. So I want to join the mainstream," said Shrambutkta.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the Maoists as the biggest internal security challenge since independence.

Hundreds of Maoists had declared the town of Lalgarh about 170 km from Kolkata, as a "liberated zone" before they fled last week in face of police action.

Some experts said the ban would have little impact in the battle against an estimated 22,000 Maoist combatants. (ANI)