Ranchi, Jan 6 (Inditop.com) A jailed former Maoist leader who is now a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislator Wednesday said the Maoist problem could be sorted out if the villages are developed.

“I feel Maoists could join the mainstream of the society if the villages are developed. I come from a village and understand the problems of poor people,” Polush Surin, who took oath of membership of the state assembly Wednesday, told reporters.

“After becoming a legislator, I have got full power to work for the development of the people,” he said.

Surin was brought to the state assembly from the Simdega jail for his oath-taking.

Surin was an area commander of the Maoist organisation, People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI). He was arrested last year and fought the assembly poll on JMM ticket from Torpa assembly constituency.

Surin was the only former Maoist leader who won the assembly poll. As many as six former Maoist leaders were in the fray and four were contesting as JMM candidates.