In a major success for chief minister Mamata Banerjee in her battle against the left wing extremism, most-wanted female Maoist action squad commander Suchitra Mahato who had escaped with bullet injury after the death of Kishenji in an encounter on November 24, surrendered before her on Friday. Her surrender dealt a severe blow to the Maoist movement in the state after Kishenji’s killing in 2011.
Suchitra, 35, is the wife of slain rebel commander Sashadhar Mahato and was wanted in 16 cases. On Friday morning, she gave herself up at the intelligence branch (IB) headquarters of the West Bengal police at Lord Sinha Road. The rebel leader’s second husband Prabir Gorai, an activist of the Maoist-backed People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA) from Lalgarh, accompanied her. They got married on February 25, 2012.
In the afternoon, additional director general of police (IB) B.B. Basu and inspector general of police (IB) O.P. Gupta took the couple to the Writers’ Buildings. With Suchitra and Prabir by her side, the chief minister said: “I am glad that she has come to surrender. This is a big Holi gift. I am happy and congratulate both for their recent marriage. We want peace.”
Describing Suchitra’s surrender as her government’s “great achievement”, Ms Banerjee said that she would be provided with the announced rehabilitation package and necessary security. “Suchitra led the Maoist movement for a long time. So it is important that she has left armed extremism and responded to our call for peace and development. The Centre must be happy with the news. Our government will arrange for her treatment and will ensure their welfare and security.” Suchitra said that she was tired of her life as a fugitive in the jungles and was longing to return to the mainstream. “I was with the Maoist movement for a long time. When Mamatadi gave a call to join the mainstream and offered rehabilitation, I responded to it. I want to lead a normal life now.”
Describing the Maoists as “brothers and sisters”, Ms Banerjee urged them to shun the path of violence.