Top Maoist Commander Nikhil Surrenders in Odisha, Ending Years of Armed Struggle
In a significant development for security forces in southern Odisha, top Maoist leader Niranjan Rout, widely known by his alias Nikhil, surrendered before police authorities in Rayagada on Thursday. The surrender, which also included his wife Rasmita Lenka alias Indu, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to curb left-wing extremism in the region.
Family's Emotional Relief After Decades of Anxiety
The parents of Niranjan Rout, Narahari Rout aged 75 and his wife Saraswati aged 73, expressed overwhelming joy and relief upon learning of their son's decision to lay down arms. Residents of Tentulibelari village in Jagatsinghpur district, the elderly couple had recently made heartfelt appeals to their son to abandon the Maoist movement and return to normal life.
"We were constantly living in fear for his safety, especially after witnessing numerous encounters where police eliminated Maoist cadres," revealed Saraswati, Nikhil's mother, with evident emotion. "The thought of our son meeting a similar fate haunted us daily. His surrender has lifted an enormous burden from our hearts."
A Journey from Student to Most-Wanted Maoist
Narahari Rout recounted the painful moment when his son disappeared from their lives. "Niranjan was pursuing his Plus II education at Goda College back in 2009 when he suddenly vanished from our village," the elderly father remembered. "The shocking revelation came a decade ago when police officials informed us that our son had joined the Maoist organization. Those years have been filled with uncertainty and anguish."
The surrender of the Maoist couple represents a substantial blow to extremist activities in southern Odisha, particularly considering their combined bounty of Rs 1.1 crore (Rs 55 lakh each) placed on their heads by authorities.
Community Reaction and Government Support
News of the surrender spread rapidly through Tentulibelari village, generating mixed emotions among residents who had followed Nikhil's trajectory from local youth to wanted insurgent. Pratima Mahuri, sarpanch of Kusupur gram panchayat, commented on the development: "We are genuinely pleased that Niranjan has chosen to leave the Maoist organization and reintegrate into mainstream society. His parents, who are poor farmers, currently receive old-age pensions and rice provisions from the government, and this decision will hopefully bring them greater peace."
Trilochan, Niranjan's younger brother, described the family's emotional rollercoaster: "Our lives have oscillated between hope, despair, and confusion since the day he disappeared from our village. Now, with his surrender, we feel a profound sense of happiness and anticipation. We eagerly await his return to the village community." He also clarified that while his brother's official name is Niranjan Rout, he is predominantly known as Nikhil within police and Maoist circles.
Televised Interview Precedes Formal Surrender
In the days leading up to the formal surrender, Nikhil's parents experienced an emotional breakthrough when they watched their son's interview broadcast on various television channels. "Tears of joy streamed down our faces as we saw him speaking on television," Narahari Rout confessed. "After years of uncertainty, seeing him alive and making the decision to surrender brought us immeasurable relief."
The surrender procedure was conducted systematically in Rayagada, with security officials carefully documenting the process. This development is expected to significantly weaken Maoist operational capabilities in the region while potentially encouraging other cadres to consider similar paths toward rehabilitation and reintegration.
