A hardcore Maoist with a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head surrendered to the Gadchiroli Police and the CRPF on Monday. Kishor, also known as Mukesh PentaKannake (37), is from Nelgunda in Bhamragadh taluka. Tired of the Maoists' false promises and their violence against civilians, many Maoists are now turning to the Government of Maharashtra's Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy.

So far, 663 active Maoists have surrendered to the Gadchiroli Police. Kishor joined the Maoists in 2014 as a Jan Militia member and served until 2015. He then became the President of DAKMS in 2015 and served until 2018. From 2018 to 2022, he was an RPC member, and since 2022, he has been a Member of Bhamragadh LOS and President of the RPC.

Kishor was involved in three encounters, four murders, four arson incidents, and other crimes. He also put up Maoist banners, distributed leaflets along Kothi Road, and planted explosives in the Nelgunda forest area. The strong anti-Maoist efforts by the Gadchiroli Police made him surrender. His family and friends also encouraged him to give up after many Maoists were arrested. The police pointed out that senior Maoists misuse money meant for development, exploiting poor tribal youths and forcing them to kill innocent people suspected of being police informers.

The Maharashtra Government offered Rs 2 lakh for his surrender, and Kishor will receive Rs 4.50 lakh from the Central and Maharashtra Governments for his rehabilitation. Due to the police's intensified operations and the government's surrender policy, 15 hardcore Maoists have surrendered to the Gadchiroli Police since 2022.

Kishor's surrender was helped by API Jitendra Vairagade, HC Pramod Puri, SAG Jyotsna Masram, PI Anti-Naxal Operations Nagpur, and Battalion 37 of the CRPF. This action was overseen by Special Inspector General of Police (ANO) Sandip Patil, DIG Gadchiroli Range Ankit Goyal, DIG (Ops.) CRPF Jagdish Meena, SP Gadchiroli Neelotpal, Commandant of 37 Bn. CRPF M. H. Khobragade, and SP SAG Nagpur Sandeep Pakhale. Mr. Neelotpal assured that all necessary help would be provided to those willing to surrender and rejoin society.