India, July 11 -- Twenty-two Maoists with a cumulative reward of Rs.37.5 lakh, who were active in the Abhujmad forest region, surrendered before security forces in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Friday, police said.

"The Maoists who surrendered were active in the Kutul, Nelnar, and Indravati area committees of CPI (Maoists) Maad division," Narayanpur superintendent of police (SP) Robinson Guria said.

The Maoists surrendered before senior officers of the police, Border Security Force (BSF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). "The Maoists cited disillusionment with the Maoist ideology and increasing internal rifts within the organisation as key reasons for giving up arms," the SP said.

Among those who surrendered, Manku Kunjam...