Malkangiri, Jan 8: In a major success for the Sukma district police of Chhattisgarh, 26 Maoists, including seven women cadres, surrendered on Wednesday in the border region adjoining Malkangiri district of Odisha. The surrender comes as a result of the Chhattisgarh government’s Maoist rehabilitation policy, which continues to encourage insurgents to return to the mainstream.

The surrendered Maoists belong to the PLGA battalion cadre and collectively carried a reward of ₹64 lakh announced by the state government. Police officials said the cadres were involved in several incidents of Maoist violence in the border areas of Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

Officials further stated that all facilities and benefits under the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy will be extended to the surrendered Maoists to help them reintegrate into society.