Surrendering gave me a new life, says ex-Naxalite

Madkam Mudraj, a former Commander in Chhattisgarh’s Naxalite ranks— now an Inspector with the District Reserve Guard (DRG) — confessed he would not be a leading a comfortable life today had he remained with the Maoists.

Madkam Mudraj with Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.

Mudraj confessed this to the Chief Minister of Chattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, who was in Sukma as part of a public interaction drive (Bhent-Mulaqat Abhiyan) in the Bastar division. It is the second phase of the drive which began on May 4.

Mudraj, during the interaction on Wednesday, said that people do not fear Naxalites thanks to the roads and schools built in the Bastar region. People want to move forward by taking advantage of the state government’s schemes, he said.

He spoke about his life as a Naxalite and said that even his wife was a Maoist insurgent.

“I used to train her (his wife),” he said while adding, “After observing too much bloodshed and also killing of our own brothers (tribals), I finally decided to quit.”

Baghel appreciated Madkam’s return to the mainstream and said that today the Naxalites tremble at their name.

Mudraj is currently an Inspector in DRG. Initially, Mudraj joined as Special Police Officer (SPO) as part of rehabilitation, and was later promoted to a Constable and then as an Assistant Sub Inspector.

“Quitting the insurgent ranks gave me a better life. Even my children are getting education at better school now,” said Mudraj.

He sought to shake hands with the Chief Minister and the latter placed his hand on his shoulder and shook hands with him. Before signing off, the Chief Minister asked the audience to give Madkam loud applause and the whole crowd erupted in cheers.