A 19-year-old Maoist woman, Mogdi Honhaga, turned herself in to the police in Rourkela, Odisha, on Monday. Originally from West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand, she was actively involved with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and played a significant role in its activities. Her decision to surrender in a neighboring state, despite being from Jharkhand, is considered a crucial development by security agencies.
Honhaga hails from Marang Panga village in West Singhbhum and got involved with the Maoist leader Anmol, also known as Sushant, leading to her participation in naxalism activities in the Saranda region. She played a role in facilitating recruitment efforts in Holunghuli village and providing training to new members.
She was said to have been part of an encounter in the Kumdih forest on January 21 this year but managed to escape along with other Maoists and has been in hiding since. Her connection to the explosives theft at a stone quarry in Banko, Sundargarh district, where she worked alongside Anmol, has also come to light.
Following her surrender, Honhaga disclosed the internal workings of the Maoist group, citing physical and mental exploitation as reasons for her disillusionment. Learning about Odisha government’s surrender policy influenced her decision to leave the organization, leading her to contact the Rourkela police discreetly.
DIG Brijesh Kumar Rai assured that she would receive all benefits and support under the state’s surrender policy. The government remains dedicated to assisting Maoists looking to reintegrate into society.
This surrender coincides with heightened security operations against Maoists in Saranda and nearby regions. Honhaga’s surrender is not only viewed as a significant success for security forces but also highlights a growing dissatisfaction within the organization, with younger members increasingly opting to return to mainstream society.