Eleven individuals associated with the Maoist party from the Galikonda Area Committee of Alluri Sitarama Raju District of Andhra Pradesh near the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border voluntarily surrendered before Amit Bardar, the Superintendent of Police of the District today.
During a press conference, the district’s superintendent of police noted that their decision to surrender stems from the diminishing influence of the Maoist party, attributed to the development and welfare initiatives implemented by both the central and state governments.
The SP assured that measures will be taken to guarantee that the surrendered Maoist sympathisers receive all applicable government benefits promptly. He also stated that the Maoist presence in the district has significantly diminished.
Amit Bardar stated that the surrendered individuals were involved in multiple offences in Veeravaram, Nallabilli, Pedda Agraharam, Chinna Agraharam, and other interior areas of GK Veedhi and Koyyuru mandals.
He said they were motivated to surrender due to development initiatives under the district police’s Community Policing programmes, such as Spoorti, Prerna, Nirman, and Saral, which provided employment opportunities and medical camps for tribal youth.
He highlighted awareness programmes like Jagruti and infrastructure developments, including the installation of 75 cell towers and improved road connectivity to remote areas like Kumkumpudi and Chinna Agraharam. These efforts have facilitated access to hospitals, markets, schools, and colleges, influencing the militia members to abandon Maoist activities and join the mainstream.
He urged Maoists to take advantage of government welfare schemes and support their families through lawful means. He assured that all government concessions would be provided to the surrendered. He urged Maoists to surrender voluntarily at nearby police stations or consult senior officials. Police confirmed 11 criminal cases against the surrendered militia members.