Former Maoist Mallojula alias Sonu asks underground cadres to give up arms

Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu, ex-Politburo member of CPI (Maoist), urged underground cadres to surrender and abandon armed struggle. In a video message, he highlighted past losses and emphasized resolving public issues constitutionally within mainstream society.

Kothagudem: In a public appeal, former CPI (Maoist) Politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu alias Bhupati, asked underground Maoist cadres to give up arms and surrender to police.

In a video message released to the media on Wednesday, he said that there have been reports of continuous encounters with PLGA first battalion commander Madivi Hidma and five were killed in one on Tuesday. Many had lost lives in the past.

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Sonu said he and his associates gave up arms one and half month ago and joined the mainstream thinking that in the wake of changed circumstances, it was not possible to fight with weapons. The Maoists could work to resolve the public issues constitutionally.

Maoists have lost a lot and suffered a lot because of the armed struggle. The world has changed, the country changed and the situations are changing, hence instead of fighting with weapons Maoists should join the mainstream society, he said.

Sonu said working for the public in accordance with the Constitution was the only solution for the Maoists at present. He urged the Maoists to give a serious thought to the idea of giving up arms like he and his associates did.

The former naxal said he gave a similar message to his comrades in the past and did it again while asking them not to undermine his suggestion. He also shared his mobile number: 8856038533 if any of the Maoists wanted to contact him.