Wanted Maoist Couple Mangal & Malati Surrender Before Kolkata Police Commissioner

A wanted Maoist couple, identified as Mangal and Malati, surrendered before Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay K. Nand at Lalbazar headquarters on Friday, officials said. The duo, wanted in West Bengal and Jharkhand, handed over an AK-47 and an INSAS rifle during the surrender.

Both Maoists hail from West Bengal. Mangal belongs to Salboni in West Midnapore, while Malati comes from Gopiballabhpur in Jhargram district.  However, their operations remained largely confined to Jharkhand, with occasional activity in West Bengal.

Police said Mangal began his Maoist activities in Jharkhand’s Dalma region before moving to Saranda. Malati joined the movement later and primarily operated in Jharkhand.

Authorities said sustained pressure from security forces forced Maoists to leave the Saranda forest area earlier this year. Security agencies had listed around 13 Maoists from West Bengal, several of whom have since been arrested or surrendered.

Three Maoists were recently arrested in Jharkhand, while wanted Maoist leader Pushpa surrendered in Kolkata a few months ago.

Authorities had announced rewards of Rs 5 lakh for Mangal and Rs 2 lakh for Malati.

Speaking after the surrender, Nand said Mangal joined the Maoist movement around 2010 and moved to Jharkhand after 2011–12. He was reportedly close to Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishenji, who died in a police encounter in November 2011.

Mangal said the couple had abandoned armed struggle after realising it could not bring social change. “Both of us have decided to abandon the path of violence and return to the mainstream of society,” he said.

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