Third Maoist surrenders in West Bengal

KOLKATA - A member of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist active in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district surrendered Tuesday, taking to three the number of Left-wing rebels who have given themselves up to the security forces over the past few days.

Bibhuti Mahato, a member of the Madan Mahato squad of the Maoists, surrendered at the Belpahari police station of Jhagram sub-division. Mahato also handed over to the police a rifle and several rounds of ammunition.

“Bibhuti Mahato has come back to the mainstream. He contacted us seven days back. We told him details of the government’s surrender policy and he agreed to lay down arms,” Jhargram police district superintendent Praveen Tripathy told reporters.

Mahato was an accused in 11 cases, including murder. “Yes there are some cases against him. We will send a report to the Screening and Rehabilitation Officer who is responsible for rehabilitation of the surrendered Maoists. Within 15 days, we will decide and inform Mahato about the rehabilitation benefits he will be getting.”

Hitting out at Maoist rebels, Mahato said the rebels have not been able to fulfil any of the promises they made two years back. “They had promised development of the backward areas, but nothing has happened.

“They also took money from contractors and even teachers, saying the amount will be spent in development work. But instead, they used the funds to buy arms and ammunition,” Mahato said.

Earlier, hardcore Maoist Shobhan Karak alias Bijoy and a woman Maoist squad member Sobha Mandi surrendered after the state government put in place its revamped surrender policy.