Three Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh

BIJAPUR - Three Maoists surrendered to police in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur District on Friday.

Police said one of the surrendered rebels, Dileep, is an area commander.

The other two are Dileep’s wife and an accomplice, they added.

“He was involved in various incidents, from firing at the security forces to burning police vehicles. He was wanted in many cases,” said Avinash Mohanty, Superintendent of Police, Bijapur District.

Mohanty said the prized rebel was unwell and unable to get medical aid due to the security operations.

“He was the area commander and the member of the area committee. He has a bounty of 150,000 rupees on him,” he added.

On Friday, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said the government would continue to follow a two-pronged approach on Naxal problem.

“Government will continue to follow its two-pronged approach of development and calibrated police action to deal with the Naxal problem,” Chidambaram said.

He said the debate on what should take place first- development or police action- is misplaced.

“The decision will vary from situation to situation and from State to State and no fixed prescription is possible. In some areas, it may be possible to undertake some developmental activities, to be followed immediately by steps to strengthen security and in other areas, it may be necessary to first launch police action to regain control of the territory, followed by vigorous developmental activities,” Chidambaram said.(ANI)