"The cadres, including two women,belonging to remote villages of Abujmarh, turned themselves in before senior police and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials at Kurushnar police station as they were disappointed with the emptyideology of the Maoists," Narayanpur Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Soni told PTI.
Among them, three were active as LocalGuerillaSquad (LGS) members, eight as members of 'Chetna Natya Manch', a cultural wing of the Maoists and four as 'Janatana Sarkar' group members, he said.
Describing the move as a good sign in the Naxal hotbed of Abhujmarh, Soni said the ultras now want to see development in their areas and are joining the mainstream as they are fed up with violence.
Abujmarh, known as "liberated-zone", is an alleged hub of Naxalite-Maoist insurgency.
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"Those who surrendered stated thattheydecided to quit the movement due to growing pressure onNaxalsfrom security personnel and the emptyideology ofNaxals," he said, adding they are also impressed with the provisions of the surrender policy of the government.
"They will be ensured facilities as per the surrender and rehabilitationpolicy of the state government," Soni said.
The development comes close on the heels of surrender by 38Maoists,including seven women,at Narayanpur on September 4.
According to police statistics, so far 987Naxals and their supporters have laid down arms in Bastar division this year.