NEW DELHI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- As many as 15 Naxalite rebels have surrendered in central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said Monday.

"The 15 rebels gave up their arms before police and paramilitary forces in the state's Sukma district during the weekend. Almost all of them carried cash rewards on their heads. Some of them are dreaded rebels," a police official said.

"The surrendered rebels will be rehabilitated in the mainstream of the society as per our policy," he added.

Chhattisgarh is among Indian states that are often hit by Naxalite violence.

The rebels said they are fighting for land rights for tribal people and the rural poor.

The Naxalite insurgency began in eastern state of West Bengal in late 1960s.

Though major offensives by security forces in recent years have pushed the rebels back to their forest strongholds and the levels of violence have fallen, hit-and-run attacks are still common.