Overview
- The seven, all from the Udanti Area Committee of CPI (Maoist), surrendered in Gariaband and turned in six firearms, including an SLR and three INSAS rifles.
- The group carried rewards totaling Rs 37 lakh, with two divisional committee members valued at Rs 8 lakh each.
- Police identified the cadres as Sule alias Jagat Singh, Arjita Tekam alias Suresha, Vidhya Sodi alias Jamli, Budhru alias Anita, Nandni, Mallesh and Kanti alias Mavali.
- Four women were among those who laid down arms, a unit active across the Gariaband–Dhamtari corridor and adjoining districts of Odisha.
- Officials said the seven will be enrolled in the state reintegration package, calling the move a blow to the Udanti network and linking it to a wider rise in surrenders ahead of a 2026 security target.