Bhubaneswar, Feb. 7 -- In a boost to anti-Maoist operations in Odisha, 15 hardcore Maoists, including senior leaders carrying hefty cash rewards, formally surrendered before Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda at a special function held at the District Police Office (DPO) in Rayagada.
The state police in a release on Saturday said the surrendered Maoists voluntarily laid down their arms and handed over their weapons to ADG Panda, symbolising their decision to renounce violence and rejoin the mainstream.
Addressing the gathering, Panda said the surrender reflected the steadily weakening influence of the left-wing extremist ideology in the region and the growing trust of misguided youth in the governm...