Endgame For Maoists? 2 Top Commanders with ₹3.5 Crore Bounty Yield To Authorities In Telangana
Hyderabad: Two senior figures in the Maoist hierarchy, one recognized as a pivotal tactician, handed themselves over to Telangana law enforcement on Sunday, delivering a substantial setback to the prohibited Communist Party of India (Maoist), according to sources close to the matter.
Officials reported that the party’s general secretary, Thippiri Tirupati, also known as Devji and aged 60, along with central committee and politburo member Malla Raji Reddy, alias Sangram and 76 years old, surrendered alongside 16 fellow party operatives to the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the Telangana police in Komaram-Bheem Asifabad district during the early hours of Sunday.
“An official declaration is expected within the next day or two, following the completion of surrender formalities, with the leaders potentially appearing before the press alongside Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy or Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy,” an official stated.
In the past year, surrenders have reached an all-time high, with 2,793 cadres laying down arms nationwide 1,590 of them in Bastar as part of an intensified government effort to eradicate left-wing extremism. For perspective, the figures stood at 1,040 in 2025, 881 in 2024, 376 in 2023, and 496 in 2022.
Reports indicate that Devji, Raji Reddy, and the other Maoists had been reaching out to Telangana police over the previous two days, prompted by a large-scale security operation in the Karreguttalu Hills along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border.
“The SIB has been applying consistent pressure on Maoist leaders via their relatives, associates, and contacts, urging them to surrender or risk confrontations with police. Just last week, the Telangana DGP issued a public call for the leaders to give up arms and reintegrate into society for a dignified existence,” the police source explained.
On Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah affirmed that the drive to eliminate Maoist rebellion across India remains on schedule, projecting its conclusion by March’s end.
“I can’t even fathom how this monumental and challenging endeavor is approaching completion in merely three years. Drawing from the outstanding efforts of the CRPF, I reaffirm to the country that Maoist insurgency will be fully eradicated by March 31,” Shah remarked as the chief guest at the 87th raising day parade of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Guwahati.
Devji ranked among the most sought-after central committee members of the Maoist party, remaining operational despite the demise or capitulation of numerous high-ranking colleagues in the CPI (M). Pursued by authorities in multiple states, he bore a cumulative bounty of ₹2.5 crore.
Originating from Ambedkar Nagar in Korutla town, Jagtial district (previously Karimnagar) in Telangana, Devji comes from a Dalit (Mala) background. He entered the erstwhile CPI (ML) People’s War Group in 1983, advancing steadily to emerge as a leading strategist within the group.
Security forces have associated Devji with various significant Maoist assaults, attributing to him a core involvement in orchestrating prominent actions, such as the 2010 Dantewada ambush in Chhattisgarh that claimed 74 CRPF lives, plus prior incidents in Tadmetla, Rani Bodli, and elsewhere.
Within the organization, he operated under multiple pseudonyms like Sanjeev, Chetan, Ramesh, Sudharshan, and Devanna. He occupied critical roles including membership in the Central Committee and Politburo, and contributed to the Central Military Commission, shaping military tactics for the CPI (Maoist), especially in the Central Regional Bureau and South India region.
As a seasoned insurgent, Malla Raji Reddy, alias Sangram, was a longstanding participant in the Maoist cause, with a ₹1 crore reward announced for his capture.
He went by various names such as Sathenna, Sayanna, Meesalanna, Sagar, Alok, Deshpande, SN, Laxman, and Murali, and originates from Satharajpalli village in Mutharam mandal, Peddapalli district. He became part of the Naxalite movement in 1975 and assumed vital responsibilities within the structure.
Also read : El Mencho Dead Killed in Mexican Raid, Boss Of CJNG