Key Naxal involved in attack on CRPF personnel surrenders

In what the police claimed to be a crucial achievement, a key Maoist cadre who was allegedly involved in the deadly attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel last month has surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. According to police, the surrendered ultra has admitted to have arranged meeting between New Delhi-based social activists and Maoist leaders in Sukma.

"Podiyam Pandu alias Panda (45) had surrendered on May 9 at Sukma district headquarters and was presented before media today," Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena said.

Panda, a janmilitia deputy commander of Maoists, was allegedly involved in the attack on CRPF patrolling party on April 24 last in Burkapal area under Chintagufa police station limits wherein 25 personnel were killed, he added.

He had earlier served as Sarpanch of Chintagufa village while his wife is the incumbent sarpanch of the village. The ultra was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head.

During interrogation, he revealed that Naxals were keeping an eye on the activities of security forces in Burkapal and Chintagufa axis since April 15 before executing the attack, the SP said.

According to Panda, on April 24, lower rung cadres had tipped off about the movement of paramilitary forces from their camp, to armed ultras who were stationed at Kasalpada village, around 7-8 kms away from the spot, he said. Subsequently, the rebels laid the ambush within an hour at a targeted location and launched the attack at around 11:30 am.

Armed with Insas rifle, Panda was also among the attackers, the SP claimed.

After the encounter, Panda and his associates shifted their injured colleagues and the dead body of Naxal commander Anil towards Kasalpada. He came back to his house the same evening after returning his rifle to Maoist commander Arjun, he added.

Panda had contacted Chintagufa police on May 7 expressing his desire to join the mainstream and later brought to Sukma where he finally turned himself in on May 9, the SP said.