Bounty Maoist ‘Pushpa Mahato’ Surrenders Before Kolkata Police After 21 Years

Kolkata: A hardcore woman Maoist cadre, Pushpa Mahato, carrying a reward of ₹10 lakh, has surrendered before the Kolkata Police after reportedly laying down arms and ending a 21-year involvement in insurgency activities.

According to officials, Mahato decided to surrender amid sustained pressure from joint security operations in Jharkhand’s Saranda forests and ongoing counter-insurgency efforts under the Central Government’s “Maoist-Free India” initiative. Authorities said she will be processed under rehabilitation and legal procedures as per existing surrender policies.

She belongs to Mechua village in Jhargram district, West Bengal. During the Lalgarh movement, she was active with senior Maoist leaders and operated in the Saranda and Dalma forests.

Security forces have intensified operations in Maoist-affected regions across Jharkhand and adjoining areas, leading to increased surrenders and weakening of insurgent networks, officials added.