Deputy Inspector General of Police (Visakhapatnam range) Dr Soumya Mishra said those surrendered included eight members who were well known. They had taken part in blasting of BSNL towers at Lambasinghi in November 2011, burning of the Andhra Pradesh forest development corporation quarters at Cherlapalli village last December and the attack on police team at Rallagedda village in February this year.
The surrendered Maoists are from Rallagedda, Kappa Gondi, Mulakothuru and Gunjiveedhi villages of Chintapalli mandal in the agency area of Visakhapatnam district. They would be rehabilitated suitably, Mishra added. No cases against them would be pursued as long as they led a normal life, she said.
Some of the surrendered militia members, including V Premsingh and V Gangaraju, told media at the press conference that they had taken part in violent activities under duress.
