Eighteen Naxalites, including a Militia Platoon Section Commander and three women, surrendered on Wednesday in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada. Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said that among the 18 were Hidma Oyam (34), who was the Hurrepal Panchayat Militia Platoon (HPMP) Section Commander in the outlawed Maoist group. The three women were Sambati Oyam (23), a Deputy Commander of HPMP, Gangi Madkam (28), vice president of the Kakadi Panchayat Krantikari Mahila Adivasi Sangthan and Hungi Oyam (20), a member of Hurrepal Panchayat. "The 18 Naxalites laid down arms in front of the police and CRPF officials. They were part of Bhairamgarh and Malanger area committees of the Maoists in south Bastar," Rai said. The official said the Naxalites were impressed by the police rehabilitation drive. "These cadres were tasked with digging roads, felling trees to block roads and putting up posters and banners during shutdowns called by Maoists. They will be provided facilities as per the governments surrender and rehabilitation policy," the SP added. With these surrenders, 738 Maoists, including 177 of them carrying rewards on their heads, have so far joined the mainstream in Dantewada district, officials said. Security forces have launched a crackdown on Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

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