Ranchi: A zonal commander of PLFI, who was carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, surrendered on Friday.

Dhaneshwar Yadav, alias Kargil Yadav, who operated out of Ranchi, Lohardaga, Simdega, Latehar and Palamau districts, had been active for more than 15 years.

He surrendered before Chotanagpur range DIG A.V. Homkar under Operation Nayi Disha, the state government's surrender and rehabilitation policy for rebels.

"Since he surrendered under the policy, he is entitled to rehabilitation benefits. Jharkhand Police, along with the CRPF, have been carrying out anti-Naxalite operations and community policing across the state forcing the rebels to go on the back foot. People are coming forward to raise their voice against them," the DIG said.

Under the surrender policy, Maoists are kept in open jails and the government provides free lawyers to fight their cases. 'A' category rebels are given Rs 6 lakh for their rehabilitation in a phased manner.

Yadav, wanted in 14 cases of violence registered at various thanas in the five districts, is an 'A' category Maoist. He was given a cheque of Rs 10 lakh because under the surrender policy, he is entitled to the entire reward on his head.

Yadav has been forwarded to Birsa Munda Central Jail.

"At the age of 15, I joined Left-wing extremism. But now I am realising that violence is no solution to any problem. The rapid decline in Maoist ideology has left me disillusioned. I want to join the mainstream," Yadav told reporters during a brief interaction.

Since April 2017, 24 rebels have laid down arms including top guns such as Kundan Pahan, Nakul Yadav and Deepak Oraon of CPI (Maoist) and Rajan and Akash Singh of PLFI. During this period, security forces have gunned down 11 rebels of different outfits.