India, Feb. 6 -- In a major boost to anti-Maoist operations in southern Odisha, four active Maoists surrendered before the Kandhamal Superintendent of Police on Friday, along with their weapons and equipment.

Out of the four surrendered Maoists, three are women. All four were active cadres of the KKBN (Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh) Maoist Division. The surrendered Maoists have been identified as Ganga Kunjami alias Jiten (24), Muchaki Mase alias Sumitra (23), Chomali Kunjam alias Shantila (21), and Bandi Madvi alias Malati (22).

Background of the surrendered Maoists Ganga Kunjami hails from Pandupada village in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, Muchaki Mase from Batum village in Sukma district, Chomali Kunjam from Metapal village in...