A total of 17 lower cadre Maoist members allegedly distressed with discrimination from senior Naxal leaders surrendered in the insurgency-hit Kondagaon district, police said here on Thursday.
They were all member of Naxal Jan-militia active in different parts of the district, Superintendent of Police (SP) Kondagaon JS Watti informed.
The insurgents that turned up themselves up before the police were also under pressure from police action happening in district. The attractive surrender policy adopted by the State government had also acted as a motivating agent, the SP said.
According to the police, during the past six months anti-Naxal operations have intensified in Bastar region. According to the Home Department of Chhattisgarh Government, from September 1, 2015 to February 29, 2015 , a total 117 encounters were reported between police and Naxals. In all, 420 Naxals have also surrendered during this period. Police had killed 56 ultras during this time while had to suffer loss of 11 police personnel in the same period.