CG Naxal couple lays down arms in AP

Raipur: In another big success for the forces amid rapid strides towards the larger goal of ending the scourge of Naxalism, a wanted Maoist couple from Chhattisgarh, carrying a combined bounty of Rs 33 lakh, surrendered before police in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, opting to lay down arms as part of ongoing rehabilitation efforts of the two police administrations, officials said. Sukma district police said the couple was involved in major ambushes including Tadmetla, Jhiram and Tekulgudem, which claimed the lives of dozens of security personnel and politicians. Officials said Jailal alias Dirdo Vijja, Darbha division in-charge and Special Zonal Committee member of the CPI (Maoist), and his wife Madvi Gangi alias Vimla alias Bhime, Malanger Area Committee in-charge (DVCM rank), gave up arms before Sukma police of Chhattisgarh and Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) police of Andhra on Dec 7. Vijja, who has been active in the Maoist ranks for about four decades, carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh. His wife Gangi, a senior Maoist leader in her own right, had an announced bounty of Rs 8 lakh. Both were key figures in the Darbha division and Malanger area, police said. According to Sukma police, Vijja was wanted in several of the most high-profile Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh. His wife Madvi Gangi has been associated with the Maoist for around two decades.