Indus Valley Times

By Addanki Iswar R.

Malkangiri, August 21, 2024 — In a significant development, an underage member of the outlawed CPI(Maoist) organization, Mukesh Kosa, alias Suryam, surrendered to the Malkangiri Police . The surrender took place at the District Police Office in Malkangiri during a press conference held by DIG, South Western Range, Charan Singh Meena, and SP Malkangiri, Nitesh Wadwani.

Mukesh Kosa, who is below 18 years of age, hails from Silger village in the Jagurgonda police station area of Sukma district. He joined the banned CPI(Maoist) party in 2023 and was currently working as a party member in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army Battalion No. 1, which is part of the notorious Hidma Battalion under the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee . The government of Odisha had announced a cash reward of Rs. 2 lakh for his capture.

Mukesh’s involvement in the organization includes participation in several high-profile attacks, including the exchange of fire at Jiram in May 2024, which resulted in the death of four police personnel and injuries to three others. He was also involved in other violent incidents, including those at Tipuram and Dharmavaram.

DIG Charan Singh Meena highlighted the disturbing trend of the CPI(Maoist) recruiting underage boys to deceive law enforcement and use them in violent activities against the police. He assured that the surrendered Mukesh Kosa would be rehabilitated under the Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme of the Government of Odisha, which includes financial assistance for housing, education, and vocational training.

The DIG also appealed to other active Naxal cadres to abandon the path of violence and join the mainstream, emphasizing that the government is committed to supporting those who wish to reintegrate into society.

The surrender of Mukesh Kosa marks another step in the ongoing efforts to curb Naxal activities in the region, with the hope that more will follow his lead and opt for a peaceful life.