AP encounter: After Hidma’s killing, questions grow over Maoist chief Devji

Speculation has intensified over the whereabouts of CPI (Maoist) chief Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devji after senior Maoists, including Hidma, were killed in AP encounters. Police deny his arrest, while family members claim he may be in custody

Kothagudem: Concerns are being expressed by many over the safety and whereabouts of CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devji following the killing of PLGA first battalion commander Madivi Hidma and several senior Maoists in encounters in AP on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Following the killing of seven Maoists in Wednesday’s encounter at GM Valasa village in Maredumilli forests, it was rumoured that Devji was among them. Andhra Pradesh ADG (Intelligence) Mahesh Kumar Ladda clarified that Devji was not among Maoist cadres killed in the encounter.

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The official also denied arresting Devji while suspecting that he might be in Telangana or in Chhattisgarh. The whereabouts of Devji has now become a hot topic in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

ADG Ladda in a media briefing on Tuesday stated that around 15 Maoists had escaped Tuesday’s encounter and police teams had been searching for them. This triggered speculation that Devji may have been among those who escaped.

Family members of Devji and Maoist sympathisers are not ready to believe the police version and suspect that Devji might be in police custody given the fact that nine of his security team members were caught by AP Police on Tuesday.

Many believe that a security team always accompanies the Maoist party chief. It is also being said that Devji might be safe somewhere else and only his security team members took shelter in AP.

Meanwhile, Devji’s brother Thippiri Gangadhar, speaking to the media at his native Korutla in Jagtial district, demanded the AP Police to produce him in the court if they had arrested him. His family members have in the past appealed to Devji to join mainstream life. His niece, Suma, had also written an open letter asking him to come home.

According to ADG Ladda, AOBSZC CCM in-charge Metturi Joga Rao alias Tech Shankar, DVCM, AOBSZC Sita alias Jyothi, South Zonal Committee member Suresh alias Ramesh, ACMs- Shainu alias Vasu, Anitha and Shammi were the naxals killed in Wednesday’s encounter.

He denied allegations that Hidma was killed after being captured and said he was not aware of the reported letter Hidma wrote to a Chhattisgarh journalist expressing his desire to surrender.