Bhubaneswar, Dec 1 (IANS): Two women Maoists Sunday surrendered before police in Odisha's Malkangiri district, alleging that they were tortured by senior cadre within the Maoist fold, Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh said.

The rebels, Gita alias Jamuna, and Saita Pangi, surrendered before Singh at the district headquarters town of Malkangiri, about 620 km from state capital Bhubaneswar.

According to Singh, both are natives of Malkangiri district, and were involved in several crimes, including attacks on police stations, loot and arson. Gita was an area committee member of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist.

The surrendered rebels had been trained at rebel camps in handling different types of weapons. Gita surrendered with a rifle, Singh told IANS.

The torture and harassment by senior cadre prompted them to join the mainstream, the surrendered rebels told police. Singh said both the women would be rehabilitated as per government policy.

Maoists are active in more than half of Odisha. The district of Malkangiri is considered one of their strongholds.