564 Maoists, highest ever in a month, surrendered post demonetisation drive

The effect of the government’s demonetisation drive has not just been restricted to black money hoarders but it has also made a strong impact in left-wing extremism affected states.

According to a Times of India report, the demonetisation move, along with stringent government policies and pressure built up by security forces for past few months, has forced 564 Maoists and their sympathisers surrender before the authorities in the last 28 days, the highest number to do so in a month ever.

Other than the frequent crackdowns by the CRPF and local police forces of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, the demonetisation drive has also played a major role in the development.

The officials said that out of the 564, 469 Maoists and their sympathisers have surrendered before the authorities since November 8 alone. More than 70 per cent of these surrenders have happened in Malkangiri district in Odisha, where Andhra Pradesh Greyhounds killed 23 Maoists in an encounter last month.

Officials claim that these statistics of surrenders have been much higher as compared to previous months and years.

Since 2011, till November 15 this year, the total number of Maoist surrenders stand at 3,766, according to the data accumulated by the home ministry. In 2016, 1,399 Maoists have surrendered, highest in the last six years.

Officials in local police and CRPF said that Maoists have been thwarted by the demonetisation move as they are not able to pay their suppliers, which is hitting their capacity to procure firearms, ammunition, medicines commodities of daily use and even pay cash to cadres.

On Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had also hinted that Maoists are struggling for survival after the demonetisation.

“They are trying to exchange their old notes through local contractors, businessmen and sympathisers,” Rajnath Singh had said.

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