2 naxalites involved in serious crimes surrendered with reward of 8 lakhs

Nagpur. In a major achievement for the Gadchiroli police, two hardcore Maoists from Chhattisgarh, involved in several serious crimes and carrying a total reward of Rs 8 lakh, surrendered before the Maharashtra security forces.

Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Nilotpal said the success came ahead of the annual ‘Martyrs’ Week’ observed by the banned CPI (Maoist) from July 28 to August 3. Both have been identified as Adama Joga Madavi (26) and Tuge Karu Vadde (35), both residents of Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. Madavi was recruited by the Palmed LGS in July 2014 and served there till 2021 before being transferred to the Zone Action Team, but disillusioned, he left the Maoist forces in June 2023 to return home.

Carrying a reward of Rs 6 lakh, he was involved in eight encounters in and around Chhattisgarh, including the 2016 major attack when 25 CRPF personnel were martyred, the 2020 encounter in which 17 policemen were killed, as well as five murders between 2018 and 2023. Vadde joined the Jan Militia and Jatpur Dalam in 2012 and served till 2023, after which he returned home.

He was wanted for six murders, 12 heavy vehicle arson incidents between 2020 and 2022 and carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head. Nilotpal said the two cited various reasons for laying down arms, including lack of public support for the Maoist movement, siphoning off all money and other resources obtained from extortion activities by senior Maoist cadres, no chance of ‘promotion’ in the cadres, being unable to marry and settle down during their days in the jungle, and the lure of impressive rehabilitation schemes offered by the Maharashtra government. After the surrender, both Madavi and Wadde will get Rs 4.50 lakh and Rs 4 lakh, respectively, as central and state awards for rehabilitation, along with all other benefits under official schemes of the government.