India, Nov. 28 -- A Maoist zonal committee has said its cadres are prepared to give up arms and join the mainstream by January 1, if governments in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh offer security guarantees and a transparent rehabilitation process.

In a letter addressed to chief ministers of the three states on Thursday, the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Special Zonal Committee spokesperson Anant expressed willingness to return to the mainstream, but underlined that previous rehabilitation efforts "remained on paper" and failed to protect surrendered Maoists and their families.

The offer has come amid heightened anti-Maoist operations as the Union government has set a March 31, 2026, deadline for ending the ...