A Maoist couple carrying a combined reward of Rs 7 lakh on their arrest surrendered before Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand on Friday, handing over their weapons and announcing their decision to abandon armed struggle.
The couple, identified as Mangal and Malati, hail from West Bengal but were involved in Maoist activities in Jharkhand, particularly in the Saranda forest region. Jharkhand Police had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for Mangal and Rs 2 lakh for Malati.
Their surrender comes amid police reports that Maoist activity in the Saranda region has become increasingly difficult to sustain, prompting several rebels to leave the area this year.
Bengal becoming Naxal free. Maoist couple – Mangal & Malati surrender before Kolkata Police & handover their arms. https://t.co/wkSi8Frwdb
— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) October 23, 2026
Who are Mangal and Malati? Maoist couple’s background
According to Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand, Mangal is from Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district, while Malati belongs to Gopiballavpur in Jhargram district. Both later moved to Jharkhand, where they became involved in Maoist activities.
“Mangal hails from Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district, while Malati is a resident of Gopiballavpur in Jhargram. They moved to Jharkhand and were involved in Maoist activities, mainly in the Saranda forest region,” Nand told reporters.
The commissioner said Mangal was associated with slain Maoist leader Mallojula Koteswara Rao, popularly known as Kishenji. He also faces six to seven cases in Jharkhand, according to the police.
“He joined the rebels in 2010 when the People’s Committee was active in Salboni and moved to Jharkhand after 2011-12,” the police commissioner said.
Mangal initially operated in the Dalma region before moving to Saranda. Malati subsequently left Jhargram and joined him in the forest region, Nand said.
Why did the Maoist couple surrender?
Explaining their decision to surrender, Mangal said the couple no longer believed armed struggle could bring about social change. He said they wanted to abandon the path they had followed and return to mainstream society.
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“Social transformation is not possible through armed struggle. We have decided to leave that path and return to the mainstream of society. That is why we have come forward to surrender before the West Bengal government.”
The couple handed over their weapons when they surrendered before the Kolkata Police commissioner on Friday.
Maoist activity declines in Jharkhand’s Saranda region
Nand said Maoists were finding it increasingly difficult to continue operating in Jharkhand’s Saranda forest region. Several rebels began leaving the area this year, according to the police.
“Around 13 Maoists from West Bengal were among those who were active there. Several of them have been arrested,” the officer said.
The surrender of Mangal and Malati adds to a series of developments involving Maoists linked to West Bengal.
Earlier Maoist surrenders and arrests in West Bengal
In June, Maoist leader Pushpa, also known as Shakuntala, surrendered before the Kolkata Police. Earlier, in May, another Maoist, Sradhya Biswas, alias Bela, was arrested in the Uttar Kashipur area.
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The latest surrender brings Mangal and Malati out of the Maoist network they were associated with in Jharkhand. Both have said they want to give up armed struggle and return to mainstream society, marking a change in direction after years of involvement in Maoist activities.