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23 July 2009/ Rinu Varghese: Claiming that they
murdered VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, a young
Maoist couple on Wednesday surrendered before the police
in Orissa.
Superintendent of Police AK Singh told media that a
rebel couple identified as Surendra Vekwara (19) and his
wife Ruby (18) from Rayagada district surrendered before
the police after divulging that they murdered Saraswati
last year.
The 84-year-old Hindu monk and four of his aides were
allegedly murdered by the Maoists at Jaleshpata Ashram
in Kandhamal August 23, 2008.
Despite Christian groups condemning the murder of Swami
and sternly denying any involvement in the slaying,
Hindu extremists accused Christians and indulged in
barbarous violence against the community.
The surrender of the young couple now will not only
exculpate Christians but will also be of a major
breakthrough in the sensational murder case.
The couple after their surrender told the police that
they have given up violence and wants to lead a normal
life, responding to the state government call urging
naxalites to “lay down arms and join the mainstream.”
“We are fed up with Maoist violence. We want to begin a
normal life by joining the mainstream,” police quoted
the couple as saying.
Surendra and Ruby belong to the Bansadhara division of
the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist).
Apart from Saraswati’s murder, the rebel couple has also
admitted their involvement in various other naxal
attacks in the southern region of the state.
The breakthrough has come two months after the Orissa
police claimed to have arrested a top Maoist leader who
reportedly planned the assassination of Swami that
triggered communal clashes against Christians.
Udaya alias P. Rama Rao, the commander of the Maoists in
Kandhamal, Rayagada and Gajapati districts, was arrested
during a raid on their Gudari forest hideout. Udaya was
involved in over 20 cases of murder, rioting and looting
of government armouries.
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