Bhubaneswar: A woman Maoist fighter surrendered before police in Odisha’s Rayagada district on Wednesday and alleged physical and mental exploitation of women cadres in militants’ camps.
Reena Mallik (25), a woman cadre of Niyamgiri Dalam division, had worked with arrested Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda from 2008 to 2010. She is a suspect in five incidents of Maoist violence between 2009 and 2016.
“I joined the Maoist group in 2008 and married Maoist leader Bikas in 2011. However, I decided to lay down arms after I was asked to abort my pregnancy,” said Reena.
Rayagada Superintendent of Police K Siva Subramani said the incident highlights gender discrimination in militants’ camps and women members mostly perform sentry duties in Maoist camps.