Phulbani: A Divisional Committee Member (DCM) of the 8th Company of Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), Samay Madkam alias Amit alias Punit surrendered before Kandhamal police on Tuesday.
Madkam was carrying a Rs 5 lakh reward on his head.
“A top cadre of the CPI (Maoist) Sanjay Madkam alias Amit alias Punit surrendered before the police today. He has quit violence to join the mainstream. We welcome him,” informed IGP (Southern Range) Jai Narayan Pankaj addressing a presser here today.
Pankaj said that Madkam after being misguided by the Maoists at the very young age of 10 years and brainwashed for two years thereafter was formally inducted into their party.
The IGP informed that Madkam worked for the Maoists at various places which include Chhattisgarh’s Sukma, Bijapur and Odisha’s Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Boudh areas.
“He was working as the Divisional Committee Member (DCM). There are at least 15 or more cases against him in various districts which include Boudh, Kandhamal, and Nuapada. The main reason behind his decision to surrender was the exploitation of new or low-rung cadres especially the sexual exploitation of women cadres by the senior leaders of Maoist organisation. Another reason is the attractive rehabilitation package offered,” said Pankaj.
He said the Maoists wanted to disrupt the election process.
“Punit who surrendered today was involved in IED blasts and attack on security personnel during combing operations. by security personnel. Since he was a Divisional Committee Member he was carrying a Rs 5 lakh award on his head by the Odisha government,” informed Suvendu Kumar Patra, SP Kandhamal at the presser.
Madkam said that when he was 10 years old there was Salwa Judoom in Chhattisgarh following which people moved to places here and there.
“In my childhood, I came here. Then I met Maoists and moved with them for nearly two years. Then in 2008, I was inducted into the party. In 2011 I started working for Nuapada Division. Exploitation has increased among the ranks of Maoists. I went astray in my childhood now I want to spend half of the remaining life with my family, do farming, and lead a normal life,” said Madkami replying to queries from reporters at the presser.
