An extremist with a Rs 5-lakh cash award on his head surrendered before senior superintendent of police (SSP) Anish Gupta here on Thursday.

Gopal Ganjhu, the “sub-zonal commander” of the outlawed TPC, surrendered with a 315 rifle.

Ganjhu, a resident of Vihir village under Herhanj police station area of Latehar district, was a Maoist from 2003 till 2013. After that, he joined the TPC. His named surfaced in at least 29 cases in Latehar, including of murder, attempt to murder and disruption of government work.

As Ganjhu surrendered, SSP Gupta gave him a cheque for Rs 5 lakh in accordance with the state’s surrender policy. Commandant of 133 battalion of the CRPF Sanjay Kumar Singh and other senior police officials were also present.

The government surrender policy also entitles him to land, vocational training, free education for children and cost of contesting legal battles.

“I got fed up with the life of extremists and decided to return to the mainstream after I realised that the government has a policy for people like me,” Ganjhu said, urging youths to shun violence.

“I would like to tell all youths that they should shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream of the society for a better life.”