Ch'garh Maoist commander surrenders in Orissa

Maoist commander of Udanti-Raighar-Sinapali border area committee, operating in Orissa-Chhattisgarh border, Laxmidhar Nayak alias Gundadhul surrendered before police in Nabarangapur, Orissa.

Nayak walked into the Superintendent of Police, Nabarangpur and surrendered before Niti Sekhar, the SP. Laxmidhar was very close to Kartik, Lalita and Jani Salm, all active members of Manpur divisional committee of Chhattisgarh.

All the operations by Maoists in Nabarangpurand Nuapada districts of Orissa were being executed by this area committee of which Laxmidhar was the commander, the police said.

After his surrender Laxmidhar told mediapersons that he was motivated by a cadre Rainu Mandavi. "I was assured monetary benefits in Maoist outfit," Nayak said adding that he joined the outfit in 2006.

He said that took guerrilla training at a camp near Sunabeda sanctuary under Nuapada district of Orissa. After his success in certain operations, Nayak was made commander of the area committee and his team consisted of 12 cadre including four women.

His area of operations were mainly in Nabarangpur and Nuapada districts, Nayak said. Replying a question, Nayak said there was resentment among the local cadre as Manpur divisional committee was dominated and controlled by Telugu-speaking senior cadre from Andhra Pradesh.

"My family members also persuaded me to leave the path of violence. I have decided to lead a peaceful life. I want to live in Orissa," he said.

Superintendent of Police, Sekhar, said, "Laxmidhar was involved in the killing of Basudev Bhotra, Pradip Mukherjee, Ladak Jani and Ramdev Jani at Timanpur villageunder Raighar block in 2010."

"Laxmidhar would be rehabilitated as per the guidelines and package of Orissa government," he said.