Maoist leader allegedly murdered a fellow cadre in Kandhamal to prevent his surrender.

BERHAMPUR: A Maoist leader allegedly killed a fellow cadre and buried his body in a forest in Kandhamal district to prevent him from surrendering, police said on Wednesday. The matter came to light a day after the victim’s remains were exhumed from Arabadu forest under Daringbadi police station limits.Kandhamal SP, Harisha B C, said the deceased, Anwesh alias Renu, was an area committee member of the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI (Maoist) and carried a reward of Rs 22 lakh on his head. Renu hailed from Bijepur in Chhattisgarh.

Police said Renu was allegedly killed on Jan 29 by Sukru, who currently heads the KKBN division, after Renu expressed his intention to surrender. His body was buried deep inside the forest. The matter surfaced after a surrendered Maoist revealed about the alleged murder during interrogation.“We have registered a murder case against Sukru in Daringbadi police station and launched an investigation. The decomposed body has been sent for post-mortem to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur,” the SP said.Police said the killing highlighted how senior Maoist leaders systematically prevented cadres from surrendering and even executed those who attempted to lay down arms, something common to many crime syndicates.The recovery comes just three days after security forces gunned down two Maoists during an encounter at the Nandabali reserve forest under Raikia police station limits on Sunday. A cache of arms, ammunition and Maoist materials was recovered from the spot.On Wednesday, police handed over the bodies of the two Maoists to their families after completing legal formalities. Relatives travelled from Chhattisgarh to Phulbani to receive the bodies. The deceased were identified as Jagesh, deputy commander of a militant platoon (with Rs 22 lakh bounty), and Ratna, a party member with a reward of Rs 1.65 lakh.“We provided an ambulance and monetary assistance to help the families take the bodies back to their native places,” a police officer said.Police said forces are working with “complete dedication” to meet the Centre’s deadline of March 31 to eradicate Naxalism.