Harassed by male cadres, women Maoists surrender arms
Ganjam District (Odisha), Nov.21 (ANI)
Distressed over being exploited by male Maoist members, many women cadres are laying down their arms and now hope to join the mainstream.
Recently Sumita alias Toda of Gilima village in Odisha's Ganjam District surrendered with her arms before the police.
Sumitra, who had joined the Maoista two years ago, revealed that she was forced to do so, as she was exploited and tortured by the male cadres.
"I was alone at home where they (Maoists) took me away at the gunpoint. They forcibly asked me to wear their uniform and made me to walk in the night. They didn't let me return to my village. Whenever I asked to go home they used to threaten me," said Sumitra.
"She joined the Maoist group two years ago. Maoists initially took her to carry their luggage but afterwards they didn't let her go back home. She was given training and involved in anti-social activities. After bearing torture for two years she finally got a chance to get out of the camp by crossing lots of hurdles. She is now trying to join the mainstream. We have accepted her surrender and under the government's surrender policy she will be given different facilities," said Ashish Singh, Superintendent of Police, Ganjam District.
Maoists who claim to be taking up the cause of the poor are reported to have tortured and sexually exploited their women cadres.
What happened to Sumitra is a confirmation of this fact.