Hardcore Maoist Sujatha active in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar surrenders in Telangana, carried Rs 40 lakh in state

Raipur: The surrender of senior Maoist commander Sujatha alias Kalpana, a Central Committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist) organization in Telangana, marks a serious blow to the Maoist movement in the Dandakaranya (Bastar) region of Chhattisgarh, said Bastar police.

“As one of the senior-most leaders of the Maoist outfit, Sujatha's decision to surrender reflects the deep crisis of confidence that the Maoist ranks are facing in recent times,” a police statement on Saturday said.Bastar range Inspector General of Police, P Sundarraj, states that Sujatha’s surrender is a clear acknowledgment of the futility of continuing violence in the face of the robust, multi-pronged counter-Maoist strategy being implemented in Bastar.Sujatha was in-charge of South Sub zonal Bureau of Dandakarnya Special Zonal Committee. She was carrying a reward money of Rs 40 lakh on her head and was wanted in more than 72 cases registered across various districts in Bastar range.This significant development is the direct result of relentless and aggressive operations launched by Bastar police, in close coordination with Central Armed Police Forces, intelligence agencies, and security units across interstate border areas, it read.

Officials said that the sustained operations in Chhattisgarh have denied them space to regroup or expand, forcing even their top leadership to lose confidence in the outfit’s future.IGP appealed to all remaining cadres and leaders of the banned outfit to lay down arms, and join the mainstream so that a secure and prosperous future can be built for the people of Bastar and beyond.