Bhubaneswar, Jan. 8 -- As many as 26 Maoists from the Andhra-Odisha Division surrendered before the Sukma district police of Chhattisgarh on Thursday. A cumulative reward of Rs 64 lakh was announced on their heads, officials said.

The surrender took place at the Sukma district police office, where the Maoists laid down arms before Superintendent of Police Kiran G Chavan.

According to the police, all 26 Maoists were active members of the Andhra-Odisha Border Division and were involved in insurgent activities in forested and border areas. Their surrender is being seen as a significant development in ongoing efforts to curb the extremism in the region.

Officials said the Maoists opted to surrender under the government's rehabilitation and...