India, Oct. 17 -- Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that Abujhmadh and North Bastar in Chhattisgarh - two areas that have been hotbeds of Maoist activities - have been declared free from Naxal terror, adding that at least 258 Maoists have surrendered in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra over the last two days.

Those surrendered include senior and mid-level key functionaries of the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist), including one central committee member, who carried a reward of Rs.1 crore.

"It is a matter of immense pleasure that Abujhmarh and North Bastar in Chhattisgarh that were once terror bases, have today been declared as free from Naxal terror. Now a trace of Naxalism exists only in South Bastar, which will be ...