Five Maoist guerillas have surrendered before the police in Pipra, Patna district on Monday.

Police officials said the surrendered Maoists included an area commander of the banned organisation, Communist Party of India (Maoist) and some others figured in the state list of 'hardcore Maoists'.

According to the police, the five guerillas said that they would like to return to a normal life in mainstream society. The surrender comes after a special task force assured them that the government will conduct a rehabilitation programme for them.

The rehabilitation programme will be initiated soon after the legal formalities are completed. Last week, 17 Maoist guerillas surrendered in Muzaffarpur district.