After 25 yrs underground, Maoist commander Sakuntala Mahato surrenders
Times of India | 18 June 2026
Kolkata: A wanted female Maoist operative — an active member of the Dalma Squad Platoon 22 and with strong links to one of the country’s most wanted insurgent commanders, Mishir Besra — surrendered before Kolkata Police, commissioner Ajay Nand announced on Wednesday.
Identified as Sakuntala Mahato, who operated under aliases including Pushpa, Pari and Barsha, was an active member of the Dalma Squad’s Platoon 22 and carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh. Police said she faces multiple cases in Jharkhand, Bengal and Odisha.
At the time of her surrender, Sakuntala handed over an SLR rifle, a magazine and 40 rounds of ammunitions. Police said she was among the seven commanders from Bengal believed to be active in the Saranda region.
A native of Mechua village in Jhargram’s Belpahari area, Sakuntala left home in 2001 while studying in class VIII. She initially joined the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and became part of the CPI (Maoist) after the MCC merged with the People’s War Group in 2004.
Speaking after surrendering, Sakuntala questioned the relevance of the armed movement in the present circumstances. “Given the situation here, I feel this movement is no longer right. It promises no future. That is why I surrendered after mulling over it (since February this year). The govt’s call to return to the mainstream has given me hope. I now want to live like an ordinary person and build a family life.I want to spend time with my family,” she said.
She also appealed to Maoists still operating in the forests to lay down their arms and return to mainstream society. The state administration said it hoped her decision would encourage other Maoist cadres to surrender and rebuild their lives.
Known as “Lutun” in her village, Sakuntala’s return has raised hopes among her family members, who have not seen her for nearly 25 years .Her sister, Purnima Mahato, said, “We cannot take it anymore. Since the Left Front era, the police have been coming to our house again and again. Jharkhand Police pasted multiple wanted posters on our walls and said they would seize all our property. The manner in which anti Maoist operations are being conducted in Jharkhand has left us terrified. So with folded hands I am pleading, sister, please come home this time. Mother is very unwell.”
Her mother, Methila Mahato, who has been suffering from a brain tumour for eight years, said, “I do not know how much longer I will live. She left home as a little girl. I now hope to see her again before I die.”