One of the nine Maoists surrenders before Rohtas superintendent of police Manu Maharaj (fourth from right) at Dehri-on-Sone in Rohtas on Saturday. Picture by Sanjay Choudhary

Patna, July 9: Community policing introduced in Maoist-affected areas about three years ago has started yielding results in Bihar. This was evident from the surrender of nine hardcore Maoists, including two self-proclaimed area commanders and one former area commander, before the Rohtas police today.

Rohtas superintendent of police Manu Maharaj said the Naxalites, including two area commanders — Anil Kushwaha, alias Riteshji, alias Sandesh, and Nirmal Singh Kharwar, alias Awadheshji — surrendered before deputy inspector-general (Shahabad range) Sushil Khopade.

The rebels also handed over their weapons — one AK-56 rifle, three self-loading rifles, three volte action rifles looted from the police, besides around 3,000 rounds of ammunition. They also submitted police uniform, belts and bindaulias, the SP said.

Other rebels who surrendered were Nirmal Oraon, Nakharu Kharwar, Meghnath Paswan, Srinivas Singh, Rajendra Singh Kharwar, Chotelal Chero and Pramod Tiwari. While Kushwaha and Tiwari belong to Kaimur, the remaining seven are residents of Rohtas district.

Maharaj said the Maoists, who surrendered today to join the mainstream, were involved in over half-a-dozen Naxalite-related incidents, including attack on police, blowing up police vehicles, buildings of the police stations and government-run schools in Rohtas and Kaimur districts.

One personnel of the Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) was killed and a Special Task Force jawan injured in an attack on the police near Koriari village on September 24, 2008 when they were returning to the district headquarters after a combing operation. The Maoists had blown up the vehicle causing injuries to the policemen, the SP revealed.

He said the Maoists were also involved in the attack on Rohtas police station and circle office on June 14, 2010. In addition, they had carried out an attack on a Border Security Force camp at Dhansa on April 15, 2009, the SP said, adding that they also snatched weapons from the police.

Rohtas district magistrate Bhawani Prasad, who was also present on the occasion, said the families of the Maoists would be provided benefits under the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state government for Naxalites.

He assured to give Rs 10,000 to the family members of each of the rebels.