Nagpur, Oct 31 (IANS): Marking a Diwali gift of sorts for the security forces, Gadchiroli police here on Monday announced the surrender of five most-wanted Maoists who carried a total reward of Rs 1.20 million on their head.

They have been identified as Karan alias Dursa Peka Narote, 23, with a reward of Rs 400,000; Pravin alias Vilas Devaji Kolha, 23; Darju Kulle Usendi, 23; Raiji Nalgu Kaatvo, 30; and the sole woman Maoist Sharda alias Reena Vatte Pungati, 20 -- each carrying a reward of Rs 200,000, said Superintendent of Police Abhinav Deshmukh.

Narote was an active Maoist since June 2008 and served with Gatta Dalam, and since December 2010 was with Platoon No.14.

During his eight-year-long career, Narote was involved in bloody encounters with security forces in Dobur, Korpalli, and Mirkal Phata, besides several murders and other anti-government activities.

Kolha joined the Kasansoor Dalam in 2012 and was involved in encounters of Kundum and Dobeguda besides other serious subversive activities.

Usendi was a part-timer Maoist with Kasansoor Dalam since 2015 and did not take part in any major criminal acts but carried a Rs 200,000 reward on his head.

Hailing from the adjoining Chhattisgarh state, Kaatvo served as a part-time member with the Kaknoor Dalam since 2002 and was involved in the Vachhaghat encounters, vandalising the revenue department's offices in Agmeta, at least one murder and several other acts of subversion.

The sole woman Maoist who surrendered, Sharda had joined the Gatta Dalam in November 2012 and later transferred to the Bhamragad Dalam. She took part in a bloody encounter with security forces in Kucher and carried a reward pf Rs 200,000.

Superintendent of Police Deshmukh said the surrenders by these extremists were a result of the consistent action by the security forces and the confidence they have displayed in the rehabilitation policies of the government.

"This has dealt a big blow to the Maoist movement in this region... We are optimistic that many more will follow suit to discard violence and come forth to surrender," Deshmukh said.