Last active Maoist leader in Gariaband surrenders with wife
Sunil, the last active Maoist leader in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, surrendered this week along with his wife Arina Tekam and six other cadres.
Both Sunil and Arina had ₹8 lakh bounties on their heads and held top posts in the banned CPI (Maoist).
They also handed over six weapons, including three INSAS rifles, one Self Loading Rifle, and two country made firearms.
This move is seen as a major setback for Maoist activity in Gariaband and nearby Odisha, as the Udanti Area Committee operated in both Gariaband and adjoining Odisha districts.
Over 7,800 Maoists have surrendered since 2001
Sunil's journey with the Maoists began back in 2004, rising to lead guerrilla operations after joining the armed wing in 2015.
His surrender comes just after hundreds of other Maoists laid down arms across Bastar and Maharashtra last month.
Since 2001, more than 7,800 Maoists have surrendered in Chhattisgarh—over 1,300 just this year—thanks to steady police work and rehab programs that are breaking down old networks.