140 Maoists to surrender before Chhattisgarh CM in Jagdalpur

About 140 Maoists, including Central Committee member Takalapalli Vasudeva Rao alias Ashanna, alias Rupesh and DKZC Maad division in-charge Ranitha, are set to surrender before Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai in Jagdalpur. Their surrender is expected to weaken Maoist operations in Bastar.

Kothagudem: An unusual scene unfolded in the forests of the Bastar division in Chhattisgarh as scores of Maoist cadres carrying firearms marched in different groups, not for their usual operations, but to lay down their arms.

As many as 140 Maoists, including CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Takalapalli Vasudeva Rao alias Ashanna, alias Rupesh, and DKZC Maad division in-charge Ranitha, are scheduled to lay down arms before Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Home Minister Vijay Sharma in Jagdalpur on Friday, officials said.

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Rupesh, from Andhra Pradesh and active in Chhattisgarh and member of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKZC) member , was recently promoted as a Central Committee member. He coordinated between various DKZC divisions and managed logistics, communication, and training in the Maad area. He was regarded as a bridge between the Central Committee and the local zonal structure. His surrender is expected to severely weaken the Maoists’ operational capability in Bastar. Ranitha, a senior female commander, has been active across several Bastar districts.

The battle-hardened, visibly tired Maoists emerged from the forests and crossed the river Indravati along the borders of Dantewada and Bijapur districts. A video of the Maoists marching in the forests was widely shared on social media. They will be taken to Jagdalpur for a formal surrender ceremony on Friday.

Besides Rupesh and Ranitha, two DKZC members, two SZC members, 15 DVC members, and 121 ACM/Janmilitia members were heading towards Bhairamgarh for surrender. Tight security arrangements were made from Bhairamgarh to the ghat across the Indravati, and outsiders were not allowed to use the passage, officials said.

It may be noted that 27 Maoists with a collective reward of Rs 50 lakh surrendered before the police on Thursday in Sukma district. PLGA Battalion No. 1 Supply Team Commander Oyam Lakhmu, carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh, and PLGA Battalion No. 1 member Madvi Bhima, carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh, were among those who surrendered.