Bhubaneswar, Aug 30 (Reporter) Two hardcore Maoists of the banned CPI(Maoist) outfit from Chhattisgarh, surrendered before the Odisha police in Bargarh on Friday. The two Maoists surrendered before the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Northern Range, Sambalpur, and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bargarh at Bargarh. They have been identified as Amila alias Paro alias Puja Tati from Parnell village in Gangapur district, Chhattisgarh, and Raghu alias Saitu Padam from Tolad village in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. Amila was an Area Committee Member (ACM) in Chhattisgarh and the Platoon Commander of the Bargarh Local Organizing Squad (LOS) operating under the Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) Division of the CPI(Maoist). Saitu Padam was also an ACM in Chhattisgarh and served as a Platoon Commander of the Bargarh LOS, operating under the same division. Amila, who had a cash reward of Rs. 4 lakh on her head, was active in the Gandhamardan Reserve Forest area since 2010 and was trying to expand Maoist activities in the Bargarh and Bolangir districts. Similarly, Saitu Padam, who carried a cash reward of Rs. 3 lakh, was active in the same area since 2012, also attempting to expand Maoist influence in these districts. Police stated that the surrender of these two hardcore Maoist cadres is a significant blow to Maoist activities in the Gandhamardan area. The two surrendered after realizing that the Maoist outfit had lost its ideological commitment and was no longer working for the poor and oppressed. Instead, the group was engaging in meaningless unlawful activities, such as extortion and attacks on innocent civilians and security personnel. The surrendered Maoists also revealed that Chhattisgarh cadres, particularly women, were subjected to continuous physical, psychological, and sexual harassment within the outfit. They witnessed the extensive developmental activities in the area and realized the futility of the path of violence. The constant fear of police action, due to increased operations in the interior areas, further influenced their decision to surrender, as evidenced by the recent encounters in the Gandhamardan Reserve Forest area, according to the IG of Police, Northern Range. Both surrendered Maoists were involved in several heinous crimes, including the murders of Raj Kishore Panda, Krushna Punji, and Bijay Sahoo. They were also involved in at least five exchanges of fire with the police in the Gandhamardan Reserve Forest area and the burning of Kendu leaf godowns. The Bargarh SP, while welcoming their surrender, stated that they would be rehabilitated under the existing Surrender & Rehabilitation policy of the government. The surrendered Maoists will also receive financial assistance for building houses, pursuing education, and receiving vocational training in a trade of their choice. The Odisha police have also formulated strategies and plans under the guidance of the ADG (Operations) to eliminate the Naxal threat within the timeline set by the Union Home Minister. The IG of Police, Northern Division, appealed to the Maoists to abandon violence, join mainstream society, and lead a decent life. He also emphasized that the Odisha government is determined and resolute in its efforts to eradicate the Maoist threat from the state, and more aggressive actions will be taken against the Maoists in the coming days...////...