"Saket alias Rajesh Pudo is the son-in-law of Gadchiroli 'district platoon commander and Tipagarh Area Janata Sarkar president' Savji Tulavi.
"Saket approached Mohla police station, some 75 km away from here expressing his desire to lay down arms, following which police recovered a Self-Loaded Rifle (SLR) from the forest area bordering Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh," said R K Vij, Inspector General (Durg Range).
He is the first ultra in the state to surrender with the SLR. He also handed over 54 live rounds, three SLR magazines and a walkie-talkie to police, Vij said.
He joined the Naxal movement as a 17-year-old and mostly worked as bodyguard for naxal leaders Diwakar, Special Zonal Committee member Shrikant and Central Committee member Sonu alias Bhupati, the officer said.
Saket was elevated as commander of Platoon No 15 in Gadchiroli. His wife Lata is an active member of Tipragarh dalam, he said.
"Saket will be entitled to benefits as per the 'Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy' of government besides he will receive Rs 1.50 lakh in cash for surrendering the SLR," Vij said.
