Berhampur (Odisha)

Hardcore Maoist leader Pramod Majhi, who is carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh on his head and has allegedly been involved in over 50 cases, surrendered before the police here today.

Pramod Majhi alias Sagar (26) was acting as the second-in command in Odisha Maobadi Party (OMP) led by top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who has already been arrested, police said.

“Majhi, who surrendered before the police, will be provided facilities as per the government’s surrender policy,” said DIG (Southern range), Amitabh Thakur.

Majhi, who hails from Jadingi under Adava police station in Gajapati district, said he wants to study and lead a normal life.

A high school dropout, Majhi had joined CPI (Maoist) in 2008 and then OMP in 2011, police said, adding that over 50 cases were pending against him in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts.

His sister Arati, who was arrested earlier, was released from jail last year following acquittal by the court.

With Majhi’s surrender, police said, there was remote chance of revival of OMP formed by home-grown Maoist leader Sabyasachi, who was arrested on July 17 last year.

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