India, Oct. 15 -- At least 78 Maoist cadres, including 43 women, surrendered in three districts of Chhattisgarh's Bastar region on Wednesday, police said.

The development follows Tuesday's mass surrender by senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi and 60 other cadres in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district.

A police officer said that around 27 Maoists, including ten women, laid down their arms in Sukma district. Among them, 16 carried a collective bounty of Rs.50 lakh. "Among those who surrendered in Sukma was Oyam Lakhmu (53), a member of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, carrying a reward of Rs.10 lakh. Three others - Madvi Bhima (18), a member of a military platoon of PLGA Battalion No. 1,...