Woman Maoist surrenders in West Bengal

KOLKATA - A woman squad member of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) Tuesday surrendered in West Bengal’s Bankura district, the second woman rebel to do so, police said.

Rumpa Mahato is the fourth Maoist cadre and the second woman in the state to surrender after the state government put in place its revamped surrender policy three months back.

Bankura police superintendent Pranav Kumar said: “Rumpa surrendered this afternoon (Tuesday) at Bankura police line along with her firearm.”

Rumpa Mahato, alias Sujata, alias Ashtami, was a Maoist deputy commander operating in Nayagram near Jhargram of West Midnapore and turned a fugitive a couple of months ago.

A few days ago she sent a communication to the police expressing her wish to surrender, said Kumar.

“Apprehending that she might be attacked by the senior rebel leaders if she surrenders before the police in West Midnapore, she came and took shelter in Bankura,” Kumar told IANS over phone. “She was first recruited in the Maoists’ Lalgrah squad and then promoted as deputy commander in the Nayagram squad. She was wanted in several cases in West Midnapore,” said Kumar.

While surrendering at the Bankura police lines, Rumpa said: “The Maoists have committed the same injustices against which they claimed they were fighting. So I have decided to surrender and get back to normal life.”

Rumpa had commanded a squad of 20-30 members after being recruited into the rebel ranks. She hails from Salboni near Lalgarh in West Midnapore. She also urged other women squad members to give up the Left-wing extremism and surrender to the police.