Bardiya, Jan. 19: Some 16 district level Maoist leaders and activists associated with the Maoist Group surrendered here recently.

In the presence of chief district officer Khemraj Nepal, they expressed their commitment to henceforth abstaining from terrorist activities which they had taken up at the instigation of the Maoists.

The CDO Nepal assured them of security.

Those surrendering include Daya Ram Chaudhari, Bahadur Tharu, Thage Damai, Jagannath Yogi, Kummakarna Chaudahri, Ramnath Tharu, Pashu Tharu, Shantaram Tharu, Jhaggu Prasad Tharu and Dyang Tharu of Surya Paduwa.

Two pro-Maoist leaders absconded when being taken for photographing and they are being searched for, the police said.

Meanwhile in Kapilvastu, former chairman of Kapilvastu district Budhadi VDC Gopal Chaudhari, who was arrested for involvement in Maoist activity, has surrendered at the district administration office.

At an all party meeting held at the district administration office yesterday, Chaudhari said that henceforth he would not engage in terrorist activity and would live like an ordinary individual in accordance with the constitution and the law.

Police raided Chaudhari’s house after a Maoist group attacked NC general committee member Tek Raj Ghimire last year, and found Maoist posters, pamphlets and other documents. Chaudhari was elected VDC chairman on a SJM ticket during the local elections of 2049 Bikram Year.