Four top Maoist leaders surrender in Telangana; apex body collapses

In a major setback to the CPI (Maoist), four top leaders, including Politburo and Central Committee members, surrendered before Telangana police. Officials said the organisation’s apex and state leadership structures have collapsed following the reintegration of the cadres.

Hyderabad: In what is being defined as a major setback to the Maoist movement, four top leaders of the CPI (Maoist) party surrendered before the Telangana Police on Tuesday.

Those who surrendered are Politburo member Tippiri Thirupati alias Devuji, Central Committee member Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, Telangana State Committee secretary Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar, and State Committee member Nune Narsimha Reddy alias Ganganna.

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Devuji was underground for 44 years and carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh while Sangram was underground for 46 years and carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh.

Damodar who carried a reward of Rs 20 lakh was underground for 28 years, and Ganganna was underground for 36 years and carried a reward of Rs 20 lakh. The reward amount was handed over to the surrendered Maoist leaders as part of rehabilitation and relief policy of the Telangana government.

Telangana DGP B Shivadhar Reddy described the surrender as a significant setback to the CPI (Maoist) party as its last surviving apex organisational body had effectively collapsed following the reintegration of Devuji and Sangram into the mainstream. Simultaneously, the Telangana State Committee of the organisation has been rendered defunct following the reintegration of Damodar and Ganganna.

“Ideological divergence, internal rifts, and growing disillusionment – arising from the widening gap between doctrinal rhetoric and ground realities – have further eroded organisational cohesion. The cadres have chosen to prioritise their health, personal dignity and future by embracing rehabilitation and reintegration, committing themselves to a peaceful, law-abiding life and contributing to the betterment of society within the legal framework,” said Shivadhar Reddy.

The DGP said 11 more cadres from Telangana are underground and continuing with the organisation. “Two of them are working in Telangana and remaining ones are in other States. We appeal to them to surrender and join the mainstream,” he said.

To a question about Muppala Lakshmana Rao, alias Ganapathy, the DGP said sooner or later he might surrender. “We have reports that Ganapathy is not in the forest. He is taking shelter somewhere in an urban area. Sooner or later, we expect he might also surrender,” said the DGP.

Devuji and Sangram, interacting with the media, said that they would work within the legal framework of the Constitution for the welfare of the public in future.