Thaindian News

Kolkata, Nov 17 (IANS) A Maoist couple, facing cases for attacking a paramilitary camp in West Bengal’s Silda, surrendered Thursday before police at the state secretariat - Writers’ Building.

Rajaram Soren, 34, and his wife, Jagori Baskey, 26, met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and then surrendered to senior police officials present at the state secretariat. The Maoist couple was also accompanied by their four year old son.

“I decided to come back to the mainstream after I saw that the Maoists are killing tribals. They had earlier vowed to protect tribals and they are killing the same tribals,” Soren told media persons after their surrender.

Soren had first contacted the Purulia superintendent of police, who contacted higher police officials in Kolkata. After that, both were then brought to Kolkata and were presented before the chief minister.

“What the Maoist leadership said, I did. But now I am witnessing that Maoist are killing innocent people. I appeal to all my Maoist brothers and sisters to come back to the mainstream of the society,” said Baskey.

Banerjee promised that the Maoist couple would get the rehabilitation package that has been promised and vowed to help the ultras, who surrender, to return to the mainstream of society.

“Both of them will get the package that has been promised for rehabilitation. We will help them to return to the main stream of the society,” Banerjee told reporters.

The Silda camp was attacked on February 15, 2010 by a group of armed Maoists resulting in the death of 24 troopers of Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR).