Berhampur: A Maoist, described as a close associate of top rebel leader Sabyasachi Panda, surrendered to the police at Chhatrapur in Odisha's Ganjam district on Thursday.
Toffan Sahu (19) alias Akash alias Bangara of Gangapur village under Baragada police station decided to quit as there was conflict between the Odia and non-Odia cadres over leadership," Ganjam Superintendent of Police Rajesh Pandit said.
Toffan, who acted as a courier supplying rations and boxes for making tiffin-bombs in the last two years, felt that Maoists from Chhattisgarh dominated the rebel outfit, Pandit said.
The Maoist told the police that many others like him were willing to leave because of the exploitation by the non-Odia cadres.
Toffan, who had joined the Maoists in 2009, provided several names of members of 'Ghumusara division', the SP said.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, March 01, 2012, 20:12