Maoist Woman Leader with Bounty Surrenders to Kolkata Police with Arms
A woman Maoist leader known as Pushpa, Sakuntala, and Varsha surrendered to Kolkata Police in February 2026, handing over an SLR rifle and ammunition. Originally from Belpahari in West Bengal's Jhargram district, she joined the Maoist movement in 2001 and was active in the Saranda forest region across Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar. With a 10 lakh bounty on her head, she was part of the Dalma Squad and linked to senior commander Mishir Besra. She cited disillusionment with the movement and government rehabilitation assurances as reasons for surrendering.