Bhubaneswar, Nov 14 (PTI) Rejecting criticism from certain quarters including wife of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda that killing of five ultras would affect the peace process, Odisha police today asked the top guerrilla to stop rebuilding his group and surrender without further delay. "We have specific information that he (Panda) was for a big build-up. Reports say his group strength has increased to 27. He has been recruiting people to the group," Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra told reporters here. Panda, alias Sunil who was expelled from CPI (Maoist) in August, had meanwhile formed Odisha Maovadi Party (OMP) to carry forward his movement. Many ultras left Panda group after he was ousted from the Maoist party. Stating that Odisha Police were aware of the peace process initiated by some Gandhians and trying to bring back Panda to mainstream, the DGP asked "how can the police remain silent when Panda group was extorting money from contractors, issuing threats to people on some matter or the other"? "There is no point in claiming that ultras stopped violence when their leader is staying in the jungle and roaming with guns. He must abjure violence and surrender," he said rejecting the allegation that the police were targeting Panda group. "Police have been trying to facilitate Panda's abjuring violence and return to mainstream. If he refuses to surrender, what can we do"? the DGP said indicating the police would not stop operation against his group. (MORE) PTI AAM SKN NIK PAL
