Naxals surrendered in Kanker district for medical aid against COVID-19.

Arjun Tatti and Laxmi Padda, a Maoist couple infected with COVID-19, surrendered to the SF in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, seeking medical help.

Arjun Tatti and Laxmi Padda, a Maoist couple infected with COVID-19, surrendered to the SF in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, seeking medical help.On May 13, NDTV confirmed that a Maoist couple in the Kanker district had approached the security forces(SF) for medical assistance. Inspector-General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P said, "Arjun Tatti and his wife Laxmi Padda, who were active in the Medki Local Organisation Squad of Maoists, contacted security personnel at Kamdeta BSF camp on Wednesday saying they were ill and need help."

COVID-19 positivity was discovered in the Naxalite couple who laid down their arms in front of the Border Security Force (BSF) on May 12 at Kamtera Camp in Kanker. After their surrender, both were admitted to Kanker's COVID-19 hospital, reports News18.

Both of them were given a reward of Rs 3 lakh each. Both have been linked to a number of high-profile Naxal attacks. Bastar IG Sundarraj informed News18 that after the Naxalite couple is fully recovered, the police will complete the surrender formalities and question them.

On May 11, the superintendent of police of Dantewada, Abhishek Pallav, said that they had appealed to the Maoists to surrender and receive proper medical aid for COVID-19, reported by the Week.

During the spread and spike in COVID-19 cases, Maoists living in the forests of Bastar in neighboring Chhattisgarh were also infected. The Maoists are unaware of the precautions in place and lack access to medications and vaccines. Moreover, the Maoists had contact with the villagers and had meetings with them. The Maoists were persuaded to surrender and get treatment by the police to avoid a crisis.

Pallav confirmed to the Week that at least 8-10 Maoists were killed due to COVID-19. He added that some remains (approximately 6-8) were burned near the Sukma-Bijapur border.

Pallav further said that the Maoists had made no contradictory statements in response to the security forces' reports. The authorities estimate that roughly 100 Maoists should have been infected in the percentage of the deaths documented. Pallav mentioned that whenever the Maoists respond to security personnel or police claims, they usually issue an immediate rejection statement.

Hindustan Times reported, the villagers had confirmed to the police that the Maoists were showing symptoms of COVID-19, fever, cold, and cough, as narrated by Pallav. In addition that seniors were involved in arranging medicines and treatments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.