Top CPI commander Thippiri Tirupati, known as Devuji, who surrendered to Telangana police, claimed the surrender was not out of fear of death but to work for people within the legal framework. He stated that police arrested him and showed it as a surrender. Devuji vowed to uphold the ideology of Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism.
In Hyderabad, top CPI commander and key strategist of the banned outfit, Thippiri Tirupati alias Devuji, claimed that his surrender to Telangana police on February 24 was preceded by an arrest. He stated, "When Operation Kagar was going on in full fledge, under unavoidable situations, we took shelter in different places to strengthen the party. In those circumstances, the Telangana police arrested us. After the arrest, if they wanted, they could have killed us. But what they told us is that the killing was not their policy, and they will show surrender. But I was not ready to surrender."
Devuji, who had led an underground life for over four decades in the armed struggle, clarified that he never feared death. He said that if that were the case, he would have surrendered like key Maoist leaders Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu and Ashanna alias Satish before the Maharashtra government in October last year.
With the surrender, Devuji and other members will now address people's problems openly using legal methods instead of underground activities. He said, "So it is not correct to say that we surrendered or joined the mainstream. We are always in touch with thousands of people." He affirmed that he would not give up the ideology of Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism, which would remain central to solving people's issues.
Devuji is a native of Korutla town in Jagtial district, Telangana. His father, Venkata Narsaiah, was a farmer. He joined CPI People's War in January 1982 and has mostly operated in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Along with him, another central committee member Malla Raji Reddy and two other ultras Bade Chokka Rao @ Jagan and Nune Narasimha Reddy @ Ganganna also laid down their arms. Devuji described himself as a Central Committee member, not the general secretary.
