The ultras decided to give up arms and return to social mainstream as they were fed up with violence and felt that the Maoists had deviated from their original ideology, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra told reporters here.
The naxals, who had been active in Kalimela, Padia and other areas, were involved in many criminal activities including landmine explosions, loot, murder and blasting of government buildings, he said.
Two of the surrendered ultras, identified as Sina Madhi alias Dula (24) and Arun Kumar madhi alias Era (35), carried Rs one lakh reward each on their head announced by Odisha Government. The third ultra who surrendered before the SP was Irma Madkami (20), police said.
The three stated that they were disillusioned with the activities of the red rebels and felt that the ultras were exploiting and harassing the poor and tribal people instead of working for their welfare, police said.