Rayagada, Feb 6: Senior Maoist leader Nikhil alias Niranjan Raut surrendered before police in Odisha’s Rayagada district along with his wife, Indu alias Ankita, officials said Friday.

Police said a total of 15 Maoists laid down their arms. Among them were seven women cadres.

Officials described Nikhil as an active Maoist operative in the region. Further details about his role in the organisation were not immediately available.

According to a source, the couple had approached the government prior to surrendering and placed four demands. Authorities did not disclose details of those demands but said discussions were held under the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.

Senior police officials said all those who surrendered would be rehabilitated in accordance with government norms.

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The Rayagada region has recorded incidents of left-wing extremism in the past. The Odisha government has stated that it is addressing the issue through security operations, development measures and rehabilitation initiatives, and has appealed to other cadres to surrender.

In a major development on Thursday, an ACM-rank woman Maoist, Mamata Podiami, alias Mamita, alias Soni, from Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, surrendered before Koraput police.

Podiami, who was active in Maoist operations across the region, laid down her arms and expressed her willingness to abandon the path of violence.

During the surrender, she handed over a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) and 10 live bullets to the authorities.

Police officials described the move as a positive step towards peace and rehabilitation in the Maoist-affected districts of Odisha and neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

According to the source, Podiami had been associated with Maoist activities for several years, holding the rank of Area Committee Member (ACM). Her decision to surrender is seen as part of a growing trend among cadres who are disillusioned with the extremist ideology and hardships of life in the forests.