Maoist cadre strength in Telangana falls to 17, says state police chief

Telangana DGP B Shivadhar Reddy announced that only 17 active underground cadres from Telangana remain in the CPI (Maoist), a sharp decline from the earlier estimate of 50. While one State Committee Member and four Area Committee Members are still active in Chhattisgarh.

Hyderabad: Telangana DGP, B Shivadhar Reddy said the number of Telangana natives working with the CPI (Maoist) group has sharply come down to just 17.

“At present, the total active underground cadres from Telangana located in various formations across the country are 17. The other 33 cadres, even though on the underground list, appear to have left the CPI (Maoist) as per the version of senior surrendered cadres,” he said. The State police had earlier maintained that around 50 persons from Telangana were associated with the CPI (Maoist) in different States.

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He said that only one State Committee Member and 4 Area Committee Members are currently active in the Telangana State Committee, while the remaining cadres are operating in other States including Chhattisgarh.

“Notably, 4 of the 7 central committee members of CPI (Maoist) are natives of Telangana, highlighting the significance of Telangana in the organization’s leadership structure,” said the official.

He said that the CPI (Maoist) is experiencing a sharp decline in organizational cohesion and operational capability due to continuous security operations disrupting their networks. Also, the support base is shrinking, mobility has reduced and there is deepening ideological dissatisfaction among cadres.