Surrendered Maoist tells tale of sex torture

Hardcore Maoist Sabita Munda, 24, surrendered before police in Keonjhar, northern Orissa, on Thursday, alleging sexual exploitation by seniors.

After the surrender, she narrated her sordid tale to the media in the
presence of police. She said she joined Maoist ranks in 2005 and participated in a number of successful attacks, but soon became frustrated due to sustained sexual harassment by seniors.

“My repeated pleas to stop the harassment fell on deaf as seniors in my camp continued to exploit me. I was so frustrated, I decided to surrender,” Munda said. “Most women cadres face sexual harassment at nights,” she added.

Keonjhar SP Asish Kumar Singh said he never expected Sabita to level such allegations. He said Maoists from Chhattisgarh, Andhra and Jharkhand had sneaked into Orissa and were bullying cadres in the state.

“They are exploiting innocent tribal women who have joined Maoist ranks,” Singh said.

“When I was posted in Maoists-affected districts, I seized a number of condoms from the jungles,” he said, adding that Sabita’s surrender would throw more light on sexual exploitation by Maoists.