Goa, Oct. 28 -- In one of the most dramatic developments in India's decades-long Maoist insurgency, two senior Maoist Central Committee members Rupesh alias T Vasudev Rao and Sonu alias Bhupati - have surrendered, sending shockwaves through the organisation and triggering internal mistrust among its ranks. Security forces have hailed the move as the biggest breakthrough in Bastar in years, while the Maoist Central Committee has branded both leaders as "traitors."

Rupesh, who carried a bounty of Rs.1 crore, surrendered in Bastar on October 17, accompanied by hundreds of cadres. Around the same time, Bhupati and 60 of his men laid down arms in Maharashtra. In Jagdalpur, a staggering 210 Maoists surrendered before police, handing over 153 w...