Bhubaneswar, Feb. 4 -- In a significant setback to the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation, an underground Maoist leader of Area Committee Member (ACM) rank, surrendered before the Malkangiri Police in Odisha on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the State's ongoing anti-insurgency operations. Police identified the surrendered cadre as Sukhram Markam, also known as Suresh and Yogesh, an ACM and Commander of the Kangerghati Area Committee under Govindpal, falling within the Puspal Police Station limits of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. Sukhram laid down an SLR rifle, ammunition, explosives, and other Maoist materials before the police.
The surrendered Maoist formally renounced violence, severed ties with extremist activities, and express...