Gadchiroli, Two female Naxalites involved in multiple encounters with security forces and collectively carrying a reward of Rs 16 lakh, surrendered before police in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Thursday, an official said.

Pramila Sukhram Boga alias Manjubai (36) and Akhila Shankar Pudo alias Ratnamala (34) surrendered before Gadchiroli police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials, he said.

A release issued by the Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) office said the woman Naxalite was a member of the Platoon Party Committee of the banned Maoist organisation.

It said Pramila Boga, named in 40 cases including crimes related to 20 encounters and two arson, carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh.

Seven cases are registered against Akhila Pudo. Of these, four were murders and two were encounters, the release said. A reward of Rs 8 lakh was also kept for his capture.

Under the government policy for surrendered Naxalites, Boga and Pudo will receive Rs 5 lakh each for rehabilitation, the release said.

According to the police, since 2022 till now, 21 hardcore Naxalites have surrendered before the Gadchiroli Police.