Maoist Peace Offer Letters Authentic: DGP
The DGP handed over cheques of ₹20 lakh each to the surrendered leaders as part of the state’s rehabilitation programme for Maoists returning to the mainstream: Reports
HYDERABAD: Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy on Friday confirmed the authenticity of letters issued by senior Maoist leaders calling for a ceasefire, surrender of arms and reintegration into mainstream society and avoid “useless sacrifices”. He appealed to all cadres of the banned Maoists to surrender and lead normal lives.
Earlier in the day, three senior Maoists— all members of the state committee who held positions under the Dandakaranya special zonal committee — surrendered before the police. They were identified as Kunkati Venkataiah, 52, in-charge of the South Bastar division from Kutigal in Maddur mandal of Siddipet district; Mogilicherla Venkatraju, 45, of Thatikayala in Dharmasagar mandal of Hanumakonda district; and Thodam Ganga, 42, of Dharampeta in Kistaram, Sukma district.
The DGP handed over cheques of ₹20 lakh each to the surrendered leaders as part of the state’s rehabilitation programme for Maoists returning to the mainstream. Venkataiah said internal differences over ceasefire and disarmament had been growing within the party for several years and became public after senior leaders issued letters recently. “There has been an ongoing discussion on these issues, though no final decision has been taken yet. I decided to surrender mainly due to health issues,” he said.
Venkataiah’s wife, Kodi Manjula, also a state committee member of the Dandakaranya special zonal committee, had surrendered earlier in November 2024 before the Warangal police. Venkataiah, who studied up to Class X, said he was drawn to the Maoist movement during his hostel days in the late 1980s and began his career as a dalam member before rising to the State Committee.
Balladeer Gaddar’s radical songs had a strong influence on the surrendered Maoists. Venkatraju said he was inspired by Gaddar’s music and joined the Jana Natya Mandali led by Gundeboina Anjaiah of Jangaon district. In 1993, he was recruited into the Narsampet dalam by the late Somanna and later became a State Committee member. His wife, Ganga, joined the movement in 2004 after leaving home when her parents tried to marry her off as a minor. She also served as a State Committee member.
DGP Shivadhar Reddy said recent developments revealed growing rifts within Maoist ranks. He confirmed that the Mad division committee had extended support to senior leader Mallojula Venugopal’s call for laying down arms and joining the mainstream. “The committee has released a letter supporting Venugopal’s decision. We urge all cadres to discuss these issues openly and take steps toward peace,” he said.
The DGP added that 72 underground cadres of the banned Maoist party are natives of Telangana. “Of the 12 central committee members, eight belong to Telangana. Recently, Maoists attempted to form a new committee in the coal belt region of the state, but the police foiled their plans,” he said.