Argus News - Maoist Elias Prabhu Surrenders in Rourkela as Maoist Graph Falls

Rourkela, Feb 3: In yet another huge success in government’s bid to reduce Maoist footprints across India, a young Maoist - Elias Prabhu - has reportedly surrendered before Rourkela Police.

Prabhu was previously associated with the CPI (Maoist) and worked under top Maoist leader Anmol.

According to reports, Prabhu, a Jharkhand resident, had been active in the guerrilla squad for the past couple of years. He had a crucial role in the squad - organising meetings in various villages strengthening Maoist influence as well as planting IED explosives in forest regions.

Also read: BJP Leader’s House Attacked In Gajapati, CCTV Captures Incident

“Odisha government has assured full assistance Prabhu’s rehabilitation support,” said Brijesh Rai, DIG, Western Range. The rehabilitation process is one of the state’s efforts to encourage and help Prabhu return to mainstream society.

Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs of India, has informed the Parliament that the overall Maoist footprint across the country continues to decline. Nityanand Rai, in a written response, revealed that the number of Maoist-affected districts across India has significantly dropped to just eight.

The eight Maoist-affected districts include six in Chhattisgarh - Dantewada, Bijapur, Gariaband, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma. The remaining two districts under the Maoist influence are Odisha’s Kandhamal and Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum.

Earlier this year, Maoist posters were discovered in Rupraroad village of Kalahandi district. The posters were spotted in a local businessman’s warehouse. Some stored materials were also reportedly set on fire.

Following the villagers’ information, Narla Fire Department, who doused the flames, and local police rushed to the spot and initiated a probe into the matter.