India, Oct. 14 -- Communist Party of India (Maoist) politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu surrendered before authorities in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Tuesday along with around 60 cadres, officials said.

Venugopal Rao, one of the most influential figures in the CPI (Maoist) hierarchy, laid down arms in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Gadchiroli, officials confirmed.

"This is a big blow to the CPI (Maoist) movement. Venugopal Rao's decision to abandon armed struggle reflects the growing realisation among senior Maoist leaders that violence has no future," an official said.

Chhattisgarh's deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma said the development underscored a decisive shift in the reg...