Why Maoist cadres in Odisha are laying down their arms

In the last seven months, the Odisha government, the state police force and paramilitary personnel have been breathing a little easier.

For, they have finally taken some successful strides in the tribal-dominated and Maoist-infested district of Keonjhar in northern Orissa.

As many as 21 Naxal rebels have given up their arms, two key state committee members of the Communist Party of India -- Maoist have been killed in encounters and several key arrests have been made in the last seven months.

Along with a growing disillusionment with the party, cadres from Orissa also feel the pinch of discrimination, as the top brass is dominated by Naxal leaders from Andhra Pradesh.

According to the intelligence gathered by anti-Naxal agencies, ever since the merger of the Maoist Communist Centre and People's War Group, there have been reports of a deep and widening fissure between the cadres of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. 

 "The surrendered rebels as well as the arrested party members have confessed that they were disillusioned at the way they were being undermined and misused by their Telugu leaders and comrades," says Ashish Singh, superintendent of police, Keonjhar district.