NEW DELHI, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Sixty-two Naxals surrendered to police on Tuesday in central Indian state of Chattisgarh, officials said.
The Naxals surrendered in Narayanpur district, about 223 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.
"Today 62 Naxals have shunned the path of violence and laid down arms by surrendering to police here," a police official said. "The top officials of the police were present during the function when these Naxals submitted themselves to the law."
Of the 62 Naxals, majority of them laid down their arms.
Reports said the surrendered rebels were the lower rung cadres of Naxal outfits operating in the state.
Indian home minister Rajnath Singh described the surrender as success of the government's policy in helping the left wing extremists (LWE) cadres shun path of violence.
"Happy to know that a large number of LWE have surrendered before the police by giving up their arms in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate state Chief Minister Raman Singh, the Director General of Police and the police force for this huge achievement," a statement issued by the home minister said.
"These surrenders clearly indicate that the Chhattisgarh government is effectively pursuing a surrender and rehabilitation policy for LWE operatives. This policy is yielding positive results and helping in positively changing the security environment of Chhattisgarh in a big way."
