India, Feb. 4 -- A leader of the banned CPI (Maoist) has surrendered before the Odisha Police in Malkangiri district, police said today.

The surrendered cadre, identified as Sukhram Markam alias Suresh alias Yogesh, was an Area Committee Member and had been active in the district for several years. During the surrender, he laid down an SLR rifle, a magazine, 12 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and two improvised explosive devices weighing about two kilograms each.

According to police, the Maoist leader formally renounced violence, severed links with extremist activities and expressed faith in the democratic process by opting to join the mainstream.

Odisha Police claimed that his surrender has effectively made Malkangiri district free of Na...