Bhubaneswar, Feb. 6 -- In a significant blow to the CPI (Maoist) in Odisha, four underground cadres surrendered before Kandhamal Police on Friday, renouncing violence and choosing to rejoin mainstream society. This development comes amid growing efforts by authorities to curb insurgency in the region, and represents a notable weakening of the Maoists' operational strength and leadership.
Over the past two days, two other Maoist cadres of Area Committee Member (ACM) rank had already surrendered in Koraput and Malkangiri, indicating a continuing trend of militants laying down arms.
The recently surrendered cadres handed over firearms, ammunition, communication devices, and other equipment while formally severing ties with extremist activiti...