A dreaded Maoist surrendered before the Malkangiri SP on Wednesday. He was carrying a cash reward of 4 lakh on his head.

The 30-year-old Jipro Habika, a resident of Khajaguda under the Narayanpatna police limits in Koraput district, was working as an area committee member of Gumma Area Committee under MKVB Division of AOBSZC.

Jipro had joined the third company of Central Regional Committee (CRC) of the banned CPI( Maoist) group in the year 2012. He was involved in nine criminal incidents including murder, exchange of fire and blasting of vehicles.

He was the suspect in killing of Naib Sarpanch G Sundar Rao at Puteru village in Koraput district in 2016, MLA KS Rao and former MLA Siveri Soma near Dunguriguda Mandal of Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh in 2018, an official release said.

Jipro decided to join the mainstream of society when he saw various developmental activities undertaken by the State Government and realised the futility of Maoists’ path of violence.

He also realised that the Maoist leaders are using innocent tribals of their region for their own individual interests and making them fight amongst themselves; and once their benefits is over, they are branded as police informers and killed mercilessly. He was also disappointed with the behaviour of senior Maoist leaders on regional feeling between Telugu and other cadres. Increasing police operations and successes in interior areas and subsequent continuous fear of police action also contributed to his decision to surrender.

The district police assured Jipro monetary assistance as per the Government’s Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme. He would also get financial assistance for building house, pursuing studies and getting training in trade/vocation of his will, the release stated.