Deputy inspector general of police (western region) Yashwant Jethwa (centre) at a news conference as the five Maoists stand behind him in Rourkela on Friday. Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 2: Five Maoists today laid down arms before police in Rourkela.

The surrenders come in the wake of stepped up police operation in Saranda forests on Sundergarh-Jharkhand border, once considered the safest hideout of the rebels operating in both Orissa and Jharkhand. The police of the two states are carrying out a joint operation to flush out the rebels from the forests.

The weapons surrendered by the rebels, who emerged from the Saranda forests to reach Rourkela this morning, included a .303 rifle and some pistols. Deputy inspector general of police (western range) Yashwant Jethwa said following surrender, the Maoists have been given Rs 10,000 in cash as per the state government’s rehabilitation policy. Other benefits to facilitate their education and marriage would also be provided to them soon.

Rourkela superintendent of police Himanshu Lal said this was the biggest surrender by Maoists operating in the Saranda region. “One of their top leaders, Prashant, and two women cadres who were arrested recently along with him, have also indicated their desire to surrender,” said Lal.

Ever since the joint operation began in the Saranda forests over a fortnight ago, the rebels’ operation in the region has been under tremendous pressure. Apart from being one of their safest hideouts, the Saranda forests were also an ideal location for organising weapons training camps for fresh recruits.

The police decided to intensify operation there following arrest of three former Ulfa members while they were conducting a weapons training camp in the forests a few months ago. The arrest was the first concrete proof of involvement of Ulfa men in the training of Maoists in Orissa and Jharkhand. The rebels from Assam had been paid by the Maoist leadership to organise the camp for fresh recruits.

Being close to Jharkhand border, Sundergarh district has been under the influence of Maoists for last several years. Despite occasional arrests and surrenders, there has been no let up in rebel activities in the district which adjoins Sambalpur where, too, the Maoists have been quite active.

Senior police officials, however, hoped intensified operation in the forests would force the rebels either to flee or to give up arms as they would be left with no other safe hideouts. “We are determined to put an end to the problem of Naxalism. This operation is going to have a lasting impact,” said a senior police officer.