In a significant development for the state's security apparatus, three active members of the banned CPI (Maoist) organization surrendered before the Bihar Police on Sunday. The ceremony, held at a college ground in Haveli Kharagpur within Munger district, marks a notable success for the government's efforts to curb left-wing extremism in the region.
Key Figures Lay Down Arms
The surrendered individuals were identified as Narayan Koda, Bahadur Koda, and Vinod alias Bino Koda. The event gained extra significance as two of them were senior commanders carrying substantial rewards on their heads. Narayan Koda, a zonal commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), and Bahadur Koda, a sub-zonal commander, each had a bounty of Rs 3 lakh announced by the Bihar government. Vinod Koda was an active member of an armed squad.
Bihar's Director General of Police (DGP), Vinay Kumar, was present to accept their surrender. He witnessed the trio laying down their weapons and pledging to renounce violence to join the societal mainstream. The DGP seized the moment to appeal to other active Maoists in the region to follow this path and avail themselves of the government's rehabilitation policy.
Substantial Cache of Weapons Recovered
According to an official press statement from the Bihar Police, the surrender was accompanied by the handover of a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition. This haul is a major setback for the militant group's operational capabilities in the area.
The recovered arsenal included:
- Two 5.56 MM INSAS rifles
- Four 7.62 MM SLR rifles
- 150 rounds of 5.56 MM live cartridges
- 353 rounds of 7.62 MM live cartridges
- Bombs and bomb detonators along with other materials
The police revealed that Narayan Koda and Bahadur Koda have about two dozen cases registered against them in the districts of Munger, Lakhisarai, and Jamui. Vinod Koda faces three cases in Lakhisarai district.
Rehabilitation Incentives and Policy Impact
The surrender is largely attributed to the state government's surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy, which offers a comprehensive package to encourage militants to return to normal life. This incident follows a similar event earlier this year when two other reward-carrying area commanders, Rawan Koda and Bhola Koda, had surrendered.
The police detailed the financial and support benefits the surrendered individuals will now receive:
- The reward amount of Rs 3 lakh for each bounty-carrying individual.
- A post-surrender incentive of Rs 2.5 lakh.
- An employment-oriented training stipend of Rs 10,000 per month for 36 months (totaling Rs 3.6 lakh).
- An additional Rs 1.11 lakh for the weapons they surrendered.
Beyond the direct financial aid, the policy ensures access to training and self-employment assistance, housing support, ration, health benefits under Ayushman Bharat, education, and other government welfare schemes. This holistic approach aims to facilitate their smooth integration into society.
Security officials have described this surrender as a major blow to the Maoist network in the region, potentially weakening its leadership and operational strength. The event underscores the continuing effectiveness of a strategy that combines firm police action with a persuasive rehabilitation policy.
