India, Feb. 7 -- Altogether 15 hardcore Maoists, including top Maoist couple Niranjan Rout alias Nikhil and his wife Rashmita Lenka alias Indu, surrendered before the Odisha Police today.

The Maoists voluntarily laid down their arms and handed over their weapons to Additional Director General (ADG) of Police (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda at a special function at Rayagada.

According to police, Nikhil and Indu were the State Committee Members of the banned Maoist organisation and they were carrying rewards of Rs 55 lakh each.

14 weapons, including AK 47, surrendered "The 15-member Maoists have two State Committee Members, one Divisional Committee Member, five Area Committee Members and eight party members. Together they were car...