Berhampur, Oct. 18: A Maoist cadre, who had surrendered in 2011, today alleged that the state government had not fulfilled the promises it made to her under the rehabilitation package even after four years.
"The government promised to provide me voter ID card, health insurance plan, house, land and other things when I surrendered before the Gajapati police superintendent on July 4, 2011. But, none of these got materialised, and now, my family life is shattered," said Arati Patra, 24.
"I don't have the money to meet my husband's medical expenses, who was injured in a recent attack. He was admitted to Paralakhemundi district headquarters hospital and now shifted to MKCG hospital in Berhampur," she said.
"As the government has not included me in any health scheme, I am going through a tough phase. Now, I have apprised chief minister Naveen Patnaik of my problems and sought his help for my family," said the former Maoist cadre.
Arati Patra, alias Rita, of Gotha village within the Adava police station jurisdiction in Gajapati district had joined the Maoist movement in March 2007. She had left her uncle's house, where she used to stay, due to some family dispute and joined the rebel camp without informing her family members.
During her four-year stint in the organisation, she was involved in at least five incidents of violence, including the Gosma operation after Nayagarh mayhem in 2008, Paniganda beat house blast in 2009, Danga Sorada liquor distillery burning in 2009 and the firings at Gopinathpur and Kerubadi. While in the Maoist camp, Arati was trained in firing an Insas rifle that was looted from the armoury in Nayagarh in 2008.
Before her surrender, Arati was working in Vanasadhara division of the CPI (Maoist) under Sabyasachi Panda. She accused him of subjecting her to physical and mental torture.
In another development, a senior IPS officer said Arati was released from jail only a few months ago. "Now the time has come when the government will provide her the facilities mentioned in the rehabilitation packages," he said.
