Eight Maoist rebels surrendered in Odisha Wednesday, police said. They surrendered before police in the district headquarters town of Koraput, about 500 km from here.

 

 "The rebels joined the local Chasi Muliya Adivasi Sangha organisation around 2009 and provided leadership in their area," Deputy Inspector General of Police (Southwestern Range) Yashwant Jethwa told IANS.

 

 Later, they became active members of Bandhugaon area committee of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist, he said.

 

 The surrendered rebels – Bittu Bidika, Sarpati Nachika, Ludra Bidika, Bisi Mandingi, Satya Mandingi, Bari Meleka, Sima Meleka and Sukru Mandingi – during their association with CPI-Maoist got training in weapon handling, bomb making and planting. 

 

 "They are suspected in various extremist activities in the Bandhugaon region of the district," Jethwa said.