Woman Naxal commander surrenders after brother persuades her

Raipur, Oct 23: A dreaded woman Naxal commander surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division after she was persuaded by her brother, who is a police personnel. Shanti Kunjam (32), who was heading Mirtur local operation squad (LOS), surrendered yesterday, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, SRP Kalluri told PTI.

She was persuaded by her brother Anil, who is a SPO (special police officer) attached with the state police, to surrender and join the mainstream, Kalluri said. As per her statement, Shanti, a native of Kodoli village in Bijapur district, got detached from her family in 2005 when the erstwhile anti-Naxal movement - Salwa Judum - was at peak in the region and rebels took her along with them.

Initially she worked with Mirtur area committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) and subsequently shifted to Kamloor area committee, In December 2013, she was elevated as commander of Mirtur LOS, the IG said.

Recently, when Shanti had arrived at her sister's place in Mopalnar village, her brother and uncle met her and convinced her to quit the movement, he said. She was involved in various incidents, including encounters, blasts and damaging railway tracks, he said.

Necessary assistance will be provided to her, as per the rehabilitation and surrender policy of the Chhattisgarh government, the IG added.

PTI