Major Surrender of Maoists in Telangana: A Step Towards Peace

In a landmark event, as many as 47 underground cadres of CPI (Maoist) laid down their arms before the Telangana Police on Saturday. Among those surrendering was the prominent figure, Hemla Iythu alias Vijja, a Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member and in charge of the South Bastar Divisional Committee.

Telangana Director General of Police, B Shivadhar Reddy, confirmed the development, highlighting the Telangana government's effective Surrender and Rehabilitation policy as a pivotal factor in persuading the cadres to abandon militancy. The surrendered group hailed from Chattisgarh, presenting an arsenal that included AK 47 rifles and a Light Machine Gun.

The state of Telangana is now declared Maoist-free, a testament to the 818 Maoists surrendering since March 2024. With only four active underground cadres remaining, the government urges them to join the mainstream, diminishing the operational scope of the CPI (Maoist) significantly.

(With inputs from agencies.)