India, Oct. 15 -- In a major blow to Left-Wing Extremism, senior CPI (Maoist) Politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao, also known as Sonu, surrendered along with 60 Maoist cadres at the Gadchiroli Police Headquarters in Maharashtra, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The surrender marks a turning point in ongoing efforts to restore peace and end decades of violence in Maoist-affected regions. Rao, one of the top leaders of the banned CPI (Maoist), laid down arms on Tuesday and expressed readiness to engage in formal peace talks with the government. He urged the Centre to allow a one-month ceasefire to facilitate consultations with party cadres across multiple states and prisons.

"I am laying down weapons and will now ...