Former Maoist seeks to clear intermediate exam after 40-years of guerrilla warfare

Former top Maoist Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devji has approached the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education, requesting for an opportunity to appear and clear inter backlog paper.

Hyderabad: After laying down arms following four decades of guerrilla warfare, Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devji is now planning to complete his intermediate education.

The former top Maoist has approached the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TG BIE), requesting an opportunity to appear for and clear an intermediate backlog paper.

---

A 62-year-old Devji, who had pursued intermediate with MPC from the Government Junior College in Korutla, failed to clear the second-year Telugu paper in the intermediate exams held in March 1983. However, he secured good marks in English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

With the intermediate public advanced supplementary examinations around the corner, Devji submitted an application to the TG BIE seeking permission to appear for the Telugu examination.

Initially, he approached Dr BR Ambedkar Open University requesting admission to a degree programme. Since the university mandates a minimum of intermediate, diploma or ITI qualification for degree admission, the former Maoist was asked to approach the TG BIE.

According to TG BIE sources, the Board is yet to take a call on permitting Devji to appear for the supplementary examinations. The last date to apply for supplementary exams with a late fee of Rs.3,000 concluded on May 4. “He may be allowed as a special case. But a decision is yet to be taken by the Board,” sources said.

A native of Karimnagar district, Devji, along with 16 others, including a few high-profile leaders, surrendered to Telangana Police in February this year. He had carried a reward of Rs.25 lakh in Telangana.

Meanwhile, a total of 3,97,997 students registered for the intermediate public advanced supplementary examinations, which are scheduled to be held from May 13.

Of the total, 2,67,141 first-year students, including 2,50,233 from the general stream and 16,908 from vocational streams, registered. Similarly, 1,30,856 second-year students have submitted their applications, including 1,19,061 from general streams and 11,795 from vocational streams.

The TG BIE has set up 887 examination centres across the State. Hall tickets will be made available to students on Thursday.