A hardcore Maoist surrendered before the Rourkela police and the CRPF 19th Battalion on Wednesday. After about five years in the Maoist camp, he reportedly had a change of mind.

Mukesh Hembram, a native of Jaganathpur village under the Tikayatpalli police station of Sundargarh district had joined the Red rebels’ cadre in 2013 after being influenced by senior Maoist leader Anmol alias Samarji and Bijay alias Kunu Dehury. Sources said Mukesh, however, started feeling uncomfortable because of the Maoist leaders’ bossism.

“On one side there were threats to life due to consistent Maoist operations by police force and on the other side there was harassment from Maoist leaders which prompted me to quit the Maoist outfit,” said Mukesh. “Besides, after hearing about the surrender policy of the State Government, I took a decision to surrender after separating myself from Maoist outfit from March 2018,” he added.

Rourkela SP Uma Shankar Das and CRPF Commandant Himansu Kumar welcomed Mukesh to the social mainstream by accepting his surrender. “He will be provided all support as per the surrender policy of the Government,” said the SP.

Hardcore Maoist surrenders to Rourkela cops