India, May 27 -- Maoist leader Bijaya Punem surrendered before the Rayagada SP in Odisha today. Bijaya was a key member of the Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagavali (BGN) Division's Ghumsar Area Committee and was wanted in several criminal cases. The government had announced a reward of Rs 4 lakh for his capture.

As per police sources, Bijaya hails from the Husur police station area in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. At the time of surrender, he was carrying a pistol and eight rounds of ammunition. He was involved in multiple Maoist activities, including armed encounters with security forces in Odisha's Kandhamal district and neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

Bijayaa joined the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in 2009. After completing his initial ...