In Bhubaneswar, a day after surrendering to the Odisha Police, senior Maoist leader Sukru and four other militants laid down their arms in Phulbani on Wednesday, in front of ADG Anti-Naxal Operations Sanjeeb Panda and other senior officials.

The five surrendered a total of five weapons, which included an AK-47, a self-loading rifle, two .303 rifles, a single shotgun, and a significant amount of ammunition.

Sukru, hailing from Malkangiri, was a member of the state committee of the banned CPI (Maoist) and had a cash reward of Rs 55 lakh on his head. The other four members, including three women, were also affiliated with the party, collectively carrying a total cash reward of Rs 66 lakh.

According to the state government’s rehabilitation policy, Maoists with a bounty exceeding Rs 5 lakh are eligible for an additional Rs 10 lakh. Therefore, Sukru will receive a total of Rs 65 lakh, while the other four members will each receive Rs 2.75 lakh. The weapons surrendered also have a cash reward of Rs 7 lakh.

The group was part of the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division and had been operating in the Kandhamal district. Sukru joined the Maoist outfit in 1997 and has been active in the Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagabali (BGN) and KKBN divisions since 2007, according to Panda.

Panda noted that the demoralization of the red rebels, particularly after the killing of central committee member Ganesh Uike in Kandhamal last December and ongoing police operations, contributed to their decision to surrender and reintegrate into society.