Two women Maoists surrender in Gajapati

The surrendered members were identified as Martha Majhi alias Minita (20) of Luding village and Mary Majhi alias Kabita (18) of Lamdong village in Gajapati district, the police said.

"Information provided by them led to the seizure of five landmines, one grenade, 100 detonators and one kilogram of ammonium nitrate explosive," Gajapati superintendent of police Sarthak Sarangi told reporters.

While Mary had joined the Maoist outfit in 2009 and underwent arms training once during her stay, Martha was two years senior to her. Mary was involved in setting ablaze of a bus at Raipanka and blast of Biricoat liquor manufacturing unit.

"Women are treated badly and severely punished for minor mistakes," one of the surendered Maoist cadre said alleging that they were sexually exploited by leaders.

The two girls also named two Maoist leaders who allegedly sexually assaulted them during their stay in camps, the police said.

While two Maoists had surrended before police in 2007, eight others had quit the outlawed outfit in 2010 and two in 2011, the police said in Gajapati.