Four senior leaders of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) surrendered to authorities in Telangana, described by officials as a major setback to the group's operations. The surrenders include politburo member Devji and central committee member Sangram, signaling the decline of Left Wing Extremism in the region. Police leaders from Telangana and Chhattisgarh hailed the event as a turning point toward peace.
On February 25, 2026, four top cadres of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) surrendered before Telangana police in a development that officials from both Telangana and Chhattisgarh described as a significant blow to the outlawed organization. The surrendered individuals are Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji, a politburo and central committee member; Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, a central committee member; Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar, the Telangana state committee secretary; and Nune Narasimha Reddy alias Ganganna, a Dandakaranya special zonal committee member.
Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy called the surrender a 'virtual death blow' to the Maoists, stating that 'Telangana has more or less been liberated from Maoist insurgency.' He noted that only three central committee members remain active nationwide, two of whom are from Telangana: Muppala Lakshman Rao alias Ganapathi and Pasunoori Narahari alias Santosh. Reddy added that nine other Telangana natives are still underground but some are in contact for potential surrenders.
From Chhattisgarh, Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range Sundarraj Pattilingam described the event as a 'watershed moment in the fight against Left Wing Extremism.' He attributed the surrenders to sustained security operations, improved governance, and changing aspirations in the Bastar region, which borders Telangana. Pattilingam said, 'When cadres of such seniority step away after three to four decades underground, it underscores a growing realisation within the ranks that the path of extremism has reached its limits.'
The surrendered leaders received a cash reward of ₹90 lakh. Devji cited ill-health and other conditions for his decision, adding, 'I shall continue to stand by the people and fight for their rights within the framework of the Constitution.' Sangram emphasized working legally for public issues, asserting that 'Maoism would never come to an end and would continue to evolve.'
Over the past two years, Telangana reported 591 Maoists returning to mainstream life, while Chhattisgarh neutralized 532, saw 2,704 surrenders, and arrested 2,004. Officials appealed to remaining cadres to surrender, promising rehabilitation.
