Two women Maoists surrender in Orissa, allege erosion of ideology

BHUBANESWAR - Two women Maoists surrendered Thursday in Orissa’s mineral rich Keonjhar district, saying they were mentally and sexually harassed by senior cadres, and that the movement had turned against the tribals, police said.

“Sabita Munda alias Kuni, 19, and Jamuna Munda alias Kranti, 22, were involved in several Maoist activities over the past five years,” superintendent of police A.K. Singh told IANS.

Sabita was an area commander of Kalinga Nagar division of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist). She was involved in about a dozen crimes, he said, adding that a pistol and two rounds of ammunition were recovered from her.

Jamuna too was involved in several cases, including attacks on police stations, murders and extortion.

The surrendered women said the Maoists had distanced themselves from their ideology and were now killing innocent tribals, whom they were supposed to serve, police said.

“Jamuna also said that she was physically, mentally and sexually harassed by senior cadres a number of times,” Singh said.

More than half the state is affected by Maoist violence. The Keonjhar district, about 235 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, is considered to be a Maoist stronghold.

Singh said the surrendered rebels would be rehabilitated soon as per government rules.