2 Hardcore women Maoists surrender before Odisha DGP

Bhubaneswar: Two hardcore Maoists surrendered before Odisha Director General of Police Abhay in Koraput Sunday.

They have been identified as Debi Podiami alias Gangi (32) and Gita Podiami alias Rajita.

While Debe belonged to Gumma area, Gita belonged to AOB Military platoon under Andhra Odisha Border state Zonal Council.

DGP office sources here said Debe who hails from Kalimela Police station area of Malkangiri district was inducted into the CPI Maoist organisation in 2005. In Kalimela area as a party member was given formal training in 2007.

She worked in Kalimela Area Committee till December 2008 and then transferred to Machhkund LOS and continued there till December 2009. She was again transferred to Gumma area committee and continued there till her surrender.

She was promoted to the rank of ACM IN 2020 and was given .303 and later she was issued an INSAS after her promotion to the rank of ACM.

Debe was involved in seven major attacks on security personnel in Malkangiri district including in 2006,2007,2011,2015,2018 and 2021 in addition to several other incidents.

Gita of Andhra Odisha Border Military platoon was inducted into the CPI Maoist organisation in 2018. In Dandakaryana Special Zonal Committee as a party member in Jena Natya Mandali (JNM).

After six months she was transferred to AOB Supply team under AOZSZC and again to AOB Military platoon in 2019. She was given a .303 in 2019 and later an INSAS rifle.

She worked in Boipariguda and Machhkund area of Koraput district division, Pedabalu area of Andhra Pradesh and Swabhiman area of Malkangiri district.

Gita was involved in four exchange of fire with security personnel in Malkangiri district in 2018 and 2021.

They said they decided to surrender and join the mainstream as they were disillusioned with the Maoists ideology, behaviour with senior Maoist leaders, increase joint operation by Malkangiri and Koraput Police and BSF and after realising that the Maoist leaders are using innocent tribals of the region for their own vested interest.

The development activities undertaken by the Odisha government is also another reason for their decision to surrender, they said. (UNI)