A 19-year-old Maoist rebel named Mogdi Honhaga surrendered to authorities in Rourkela, Odisha. She hails from West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand and was actively involved with the Communist Party of India (Maoist), playing a significant role in their operations. Despite being from Jharkhand, her decision to surrender in a neighboring state is being viewed as a significant development by security agencies.
Honhaga belongs to Marang Panga village in West Singhbhum and got connected with the Maoist leader Anmol alias Sushant, leading her to join the Naxal movement and operate in the Saranda region. She participated in recruitment activities in Holunghuli village and provided training to new members.
She was reportedly present during an encounter in the Kumdih forest on January 21 but managed to escape with other Maoists. Her involvement was also noted in an incident involving the looting of explosives at a stone quarry in Banko, Sundargarh district, where she collaborated with Anmol.
Following her surrender, Honhaga disclosed the internal workings of the Maoist organization, citing physical and mental exploitation as reasons for her disillusionment. Learning about Odisha government’s surrender policy influenced her decision to leave the group, prompting her to contact the Rourkela police discreetly.
DIG Brijesh Kumar Rai assured that Honhaga would receive all benefits and support under the state’s surrender policy. The government remains dedicated to assisting Maoists seeking to reintegrate into society.
Honhaga’s surrender coincides with heightened security operations against Maoists in Saranda and nearby regions. Her decision is not only a success for security forces but also signifies a growing dissatisfaction within the organization, with younger members opting to rejoin mainstream society.