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Time of India
27-05-2025
- Time of India
Maoist with Rs 4L bounty surrenders
1 2 3 Koraput: A senior Maoist cadre carrying a cash reward of Rs 4 lakh on his head surrendered before Rayagada SP Swathy S Kumar on Tuesday. The surrendered Maoist, identified as Bijaya Punem, alias Ajay, a native of Batigudem village under Husur police station limits in Bijapur district of neighbouring Chhattisgarh, had been associated with the banned CPI (Maoist) for over 15 years. According to the SP, Punem held the rank of area committee member (ACM) within the outlawed outfit. At the time of surrender, he had a 9 mm pistol, eight live rounds of ammunition, and a walkie-talkie. "Being motivated by their ideology, I joined the Maoist organisation. But over time, I realised they had strayed from their path, indulging in extortion and killing of innocent people," said Punem. He also cited internal exploitation, harsh treatment by senior cadres, lack of public support and the harsh conditions in jungle terrain as key reasons for his decision to quit. "The terrain in Odisha is extremely difficult and we are constantly on the move due to lack of strength and support. Hence, I decided to return to the mainstream," he added. Police said Punem joined the Maoist in 2009 and underwent arms training. He was later assigned to the security team of senior Maoist leader Modem Balakrishna alias Manoj. Promoted to the rank of ACM in 2014, Punem remained Manoj's personal guard until 2023. Since Jan 2024, he was operating under the Ghumsar area committee of Bansadhara Ghumsar Nagabali division. According to police, Punem is suspected to have been involved in several violent incidents, including the killing of a civilian, Metla Rait, in Kandhamal district's Bandipanga village in May 2024. He was also reportedly involved in multiple encounters with security forces between 2020 and 2022 across Kandhamal and Gariaband (in Chhattisgarh) districts. "He will be rehabilitated under the state govt's surrender policy, which provides financial assistance, housing support and vocational training," the SP said, urging other misguided youths to return to the mainstream and avail the benefits of the comprehensive surrender policy. As per official data, Odisha police have facilitated the surrender of 647 Maoists between 2006 and 2024, including 29 in Rayagada district. So far this year, 23 Maoists have surrendered across the state.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Chhattisgarh: Maoist with ₹4 lakh bounty surrenders before Odisha Police
A Maoist commander from Chhattisgarh carrying a cash reward of ₹4 lakh, surrendered before the Odisha Police on Tuesday, police said. Bijaya Punem alias Ajay, a prominent area commander from Batigudem village in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, surrendered before the Rayagada superintendent of police (SP) Swathy S Kumar on Tuesday. Punem handed over to police a 9mm pistol and eight cartridges during his surrender. 'He surrendered due to rude and abnormal behaviour of leadership, frequent operations by security forces in their operating areas, insufficient food, water and cloth, tough terrain in Odisha, no recruitment and active support from public in and around their jurisdiction area,' said Rayagada SP Swathy S Kumar. Also Read: Maoist with ₹5 lakh bounty killed in Jharkhand gunfight: DIG Palamu According to statement released by the police, Punem joined the banned CPI (Maoist) in 2009 and underwent preliminary training after which he worked as personal security officer (PSO) to Maoist central committee member Modem Balakrishna alias Manoj between 2009 and 2010. He rose through the ranks, becoming an area commander in 2014. Over the years, Punem operated in multiple districts, including Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Boudh, Rayagada, and Kandhamal. In 2023, he was transferred to the Basdhara-Nagaval Division, serving in the Ghumsar area committee of Odisha from January 2024, the statement said.
