Top Maoist leader, wife surrender in Kolkata

A top Maoist leader and his wife surrendered to the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata police on Wednesday, police said.

"Maoist leader Ranjit Pal and his wife Anita Pal alias Jharna Giri have surrendered to the STF of Kolkata police today. There are several serious charges since 2003. This is a very important case of surrender," West Bengal Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkaystha told the media.

According to police, Pal operated as the commander-in-chief in the West Bengal-Jharkhand border area.

The Maoist leader said he has surrendered after realising that one cannot do good for the people and the society through violent means. He also expressed his satisfaction over the present state government's initiative in addressing the issues they were fighting for.

"I have realised good cannot be done for the people and the society through the path of violence. Our struggle was against certain problems in the state. But the present state government is addressing those issues. They are also trying to bring others like us who are still in the wrong track, into the mainstream," Pal said after laying down arms.