Accused in Laxmanananda murder,Maoist couple surrender

A maoist couple allegedly involved in the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati last year laid down their arms and surrendered before the police in Raygada district even as the daylong bandh by the rebels had negligible impact in the state.

Surendra Brekwada alias Das and his wife Rupi Pidikaka Jaya,both in their 20s,surrendered before Raygada SP Ashis Kumar Singh. The Raygada SP said the two played active role in the murder of Laxmanananda Saraswati and Nayagarh police armoury loot last year,besides involvement in dozens of crimes. “They surrendered because they said Maoists have drifted from their ideology. They now want to lead a normal life,” the SP said. Surendra and Rupi married last year.

Surendra reportedly told the police that Maoist commanders from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh planned all operations in Orissa. “He said the Nayagarh attack was planned two years ago when he was sent to do a recce of the armoury,” the SP said.