Instances of rape and sexual torture in Naxalite camps are coming to the fore with more and more disillusioned members deserting the CPI (Maoist).

The Maoists have also been jolted by the arrest of senior leaders in Orissa.

Two women extremists, who recently surrendered in Keonjhar, said they were repeatedly raped by male colleagues in jungle camps.

"After getting drunk, they would sexually assault me, "Dipti Munda ( name changed) said. She had joined the extremists at 16.

Anita Munda (name changed), 18, who surrendered last month also said she was subjected to sexual torture in the forests. Women members were reportedly forced to spend nights with men. "It was tough and disgusting,"another former Maoist said. She hoped the government would help her live a better life.

Last year, at least 29 Maoists, including 12 women, gave up arms. They accused the leadership of deviating from the movement's core ideology of protecting and empowering Dalits. The women invariably alleged sexual abuse by male colleagues.

The leadership has taken to extortion and failed to check harassment of women, former Maoist Kamala Mandal said.

She surrendered on February 28 in Kandhamal along with two male colleagues.

In June last year, Maoist couple Ghasiram Majhi alias Akash (32) and his wife Jharana (31) surrendered in Raygada.

They said they wanted a normal life for their two- and- ahalf- year- old daughter. The couple was among the founding members of the Bansadhara division of CPI (Maoist).

Some senior leaders have also surrendered. On Tuesday, Suresh Sundhi alias Hati - a close associate of top leader Sabyasachi Panda - surrendered.

He said he was disillusioned with the pursuit of "mindless violence". Sundhi (24) was the commander of the party's Similipal squad. He was wanted in several cases, including the 2008 Nayagarh attack that left more than a dozen policemen dead.

Police sources said Sundhi was involved in at least seven cases of violence. He had masterminded last year's Similipal tiger reserve attack.

Sundhi was upset with the exploitation of tribals, an issue raised by tribal Maoist couple Mamina and Mataram Munda, too. They had surrendered to the Keonjhar police about a week ago. They were allegedly involved in violence in the district's Daitari area.

The Mundas alleged that Maoist cadre misbehaved with tribal women during raids. Mamina also alleged harassment of women in Maoist camps.

On Tuesday, Naxalite leaders Salim Barla and Jablin Munda were arrested during a joint operation by the Orissa Police and the Central Reserve Police Force in Sundergarh. They were allegedly involved in the murder of CITU leader Thomas Munda in January.

These developments come in the wake of the arrest of Panda's wife Subhashree alias Mili in Bhubaneswar on January 15. Her arrest was a major blow for the Naxalite propaganda machinery.