At least 16 Maoists turned themselves in to the police on Thursday in Narayanpur, which is close to Malkangiri in Odisha and along the Chhattisgarh border.

The group consisted of a member of the North Bureau Technical Team, important organisational members, and a deputy commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), all of whom were considered to be top cadres in the group.

As cadres continue to leave the organisation, Maoist strongholds in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand are steadily collapsing. The insurgent movement that has long afflicted these areas is facing a significant defeat as the once-dreaded "red corridors" are progressively losing momentum.

According to sources, seven female Maoists were among those who gave up; this shows how widespread the disenchantment is, even among the group's most devoted members. The significance of these 16 rebels in the Maoist leadership is demonstrated by the Rs 70 lakh reward they held on their heads collectively.