As 31 March deadline nears, 130 more Maoists surrender in Telangana. ‘State committee has vanished’

Those who laid down their arms belonged to CPI (Maoist), and they worked underground as state, regional, divisional, & area committee members.

Addressing the surrendered Maoists, CM Revanth Reddy said 'there are another 20 days left. I appeal to all those who have not surrendered to come overground'. | By special arrangement

Hyderabad: The armed Maoist revolution in India inched closer to an end as 130 Maoists surrendered before Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the state police chief here on Saturday.

Those who laid down their arms belonged to the Communist Party of India (Maoist), and they worked underground as state, regional, divisional, and area committee members, Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy said.

A total of 124 weapons, including AK-47s, INSAS rifles, and 9mm carbines, along with nearly 7,000 bullets and other modern firearms were surrendered by the Maoists and taken into possession by the state police. The cache of live ammunition of various calibres is among the largest recovered in recent times in India.

The 130 Maoists were presented to the media at the time of their surrender, just as four senior Maoists who came overground on 24 February were presented before the public.

Commending the efforts of the special intelligence unit in working out these surrenders, the DGP said the cadres included the personal staff of Devuji and three other leaders who surrendered recently.

The DGP added that the decision of Politburo member Tippiri Thirupati alias Devuji, central committee member Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, Telangana state committee secretary Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar alias Jagan, and state committee member Nune Narsimha Reddy alias Ganganna to renounce their armed struggle was the last straw in a series of setbacks that the Naxals have had since Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement to end Naxalism in India by 31 March this year.

‘Now, there are no Telangana state committee members of the Maoists left. It (the state committee) has completely vanished,’ CM Revanth Reddy.

Calling the latest surrenders a major setback for the CPI-Maoist, the chief minister too stated that only seven members in Telangana remained underground and appealed them also to surrender. “Now, there are no Telangana state committee members of the Maoists left. It (the state committee) has completely vanished.”

DGP Shivadhar said the decision of the cadre reflects a positive, conscious, and pragmatic response to the Telangana government’s appeal, reinforcing that the surrender of weapons significantly weakened the operational and combat capability of the CPI-Maoist in the central regional bureau (CRB) area.

Of the large number of People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) cadres who surrendered on Saturday, 125 are natives of Chhattisgarh, four are from Telangana, and one hails from Andhra Pradesh, the DGP said.

The cadres from Chhattisgarh would be given an option to return to their home state or choose to stay in Telangana, a senior police official told ThePrint.

The CM and the DGP also made a special appeal to the 77-year-old Muppala Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathy, the senior-most surviving leader, to lay down his arms.

Ganapathy, known to be a fierce proponent of the armed struggle, is known to be second only to Kondapalli Seetharamaiah, the late founder of the People’s War Group (PWG), the armed wing of the CPI-Maoist party. He is still in hiding and is believed to be in Nepal.

“There are another 20 days left. I appeal to all those who have not surrendered to come overground. We can achieve miracles through the ballot. The state and the entire country can live in peace,” said the CM, stating his government was willing to address their concerns and facilitate their return to society.

As per data shared by the Telangana police department, 721 Maoists have surrendered before the state police in various districts since 2024.

Rehabilitation, reconciliation 

As the latest batch of Maoists surrendered, the Telangana government handed them financial aid, distributing a total of Rs 4.18 crore among the 130 cadres. The chief minister gave away cheques to the four members from Telangana. 

As part of the state’s rehabilitation policy, the CM promised free houses under the Indiramma Illu (house) Housing Scheme, free medical treatment at the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, land, and financial assistance to construct a house in their native villages. 

CM Revanth Reddy with some of the Maoists who surrendered with a total of 124 weapons. | By special arrangement

The proposal of granting parcels of land for agriculture was also being considered by his cabinet, he said. Adequate opportunities to seek jobs in various government departments shall also be provided, the CM said. 

“We will arrange everything necessary for you to live a peaceful life. In fact, upon Devuji’s suggestion, I am even willing to increase the reward to each one of you who surrender to ensure the amount is adequate for you to live a comfortable life,” Reddy said. 

The chief minister met seven Maoists, including Devuji and three other senior leaders at his office earlier this month, and heard their concerns. 

Earlier this week, the CM, the DGP, the additional DGP, and the DIG (Intelligence) met HM Shah to apprise him about the latest developments on the fight against Maoism. 

As part of his address, the CM stated that he received approval from the home minister to freely structure a flexible financial package and a safety guarantee to the Naxals who surrender in accordance with the rank of the armed rebels.

(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)