Ranchi, May 21 (IANS) Security forces got major success in Jharkhand on Thursday as they secured the surrender of 27 Maoists, marking the largest such collective surrender in the state’s history.

The group included 25 Maoists active in the Saranda and Kolhan regions of the state in West Singhbhum district, along with two extremists from the banned Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP).

They laid down arms at the police headquarters in Ranchi in the presence of Director General of Police (DGP) Tadasha Mishra and senior officials of the police department and CRPF.

Among those who surrendered were eight hardcore Maoists carrying cash rewards. These included six cadres with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, one with a reward of Rs 2 lakh, and a woman cadre carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh.

Police said the surrendered extremists were involved in 426 serious cases across various police stations in the state. These cases include charges of murder, attacks on security forces, extortion, explosions, and other armed activities.

During the surrender, the cadres also handed over a large cache of arms and ammunition, including one LMG INSAS, four INSAS rifles, nine SLRs, a bolt-action rifle, a pistol, 31 magazines, 2,987 live cartridges, and eight walkie-talkies.

Officials said the continued operations by security forces and the Jharkhand government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy played a key role in persuading them to return to the mainstream of society.

Those who surrendered include seven sub-zonal commanders, seven area commanders, and 13 active cadres of the CPI (Maoist).

Key surrendered Maoists include Gadi Munda alias Gulshan, Nagendra Munda alias Prabhat Munda, Rekha Munda alias Jayanti, Sagen Angaria alias Dokol, Suleman Hansda alias Suni Hansda, and JJMP member Sachin Bek.

Others who returned to the mainstream include Darshan alias Binj Hansda, Karan Tiu alias Dangur, Basumati Jerai alias Basu, Baijnath Munda, Raghu Kayam alias Guna, Kishore Sirka alias Durga Sirka, and Ram Dayal Munda.

Among the women cadres who surrendered are Vandana alias Shanti, Sunita Sardar, Sapna alias Suru Kalundia, and Anisha Koda alias Rani.

Police officials said all surrendered extremists would receive financial assistance and rehabilitation benefits under the state government’s policy. Additional incentives will also be provided for depositing weapons.

Senior officials present at the event included IG Pankaj Kamboj, IG Prabhat Kumar, IG Sunil Bansal, IG Asim Vikrant Minz, IG Anoop Birthare, IG Mayur Patel Kanhaiyalal, DIG Indrajeet Mehta, DIG Manoj Ratan Chauthe, DIG Kartik S., Shailendra Barnwal, SSP Rakesh Ranjan, SP Harish Bin Juma, and SP Saurabh, among others.

–IANS

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