Kolkata, Mar 10 (IANS): A sceptical Left Front Friday said Maoist squad leader Suchitra Mahato had been in police custody and had not surrendered Friday. The Congress, an ally of the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal, however, welcomed the surrender, saying it will pave the way for laying down of arms by more rebels.

Top woman Maoist Mahato, who was suspected to have been with Maoist leader Kishenji when he was killed in a gun battle with security forces last year in West Bengal, surrendered Friday, according to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Suchitra had surrendered earlier. She was in police custody," Left Front chairman and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state secretary Biman Bose told media persons here.

"Police had been on the look out for Mahato. But after that nothing has come to the fore, raising the question over today's surrender," he added.

Trinamool's ally Congress was happy with the development.

"The surrender will usher in peace in Jangalmahal area. It will also pave the way for surrendering of more rebels," state Congress chief Pradip Bhattacharya said.

Banerjee had described the development as a "success" for the state government and "a big gift of Holi".

"I am proud that my Maoist brothers and sisters are surrendering. This is an achievement of the government... this is a joint achievement of the government and my brothers and sisters."