India, Jan. 14 -- Twenty-nine Maoists surrendered to security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Wednesday, officials said.

The cadres, active members of various frontal wings of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), laid down arms before senior officers of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force.

Among them was Podiam Budhra, head of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan (DAKMS) in the Gogunda area, who carried a reward of Rs.2 lakh. The remaining cadres belonged to the DAKMS, militia and Janatana Sarkar wings of the banned group, police said.

Sukma superintendent of police (SP) Kiran Chavan said the surrendered cadres cited the government's "Poona Margem" initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation an...