37 Maoists Surrender Before Telangana Police
Three state committee members among those who laid down arms; DGP assures full rehabilitation support.
Hyderabad: Days after security forces gunned down top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma in Andhra Pradesh, 37 Maoist cadre including Telangana committee members Koyyada Sambaiah alias Azad and Appasi Narayana alias Ramesh and Muchaki Somada of the Dandakaranya state committee gave up arms and surrendered before Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy here on Saturday.
Each of the three ranking Maoists carried a Rs 20 lakh cash reward for their capture. Among those who surrendered were Maoists carrying a Rs 5 lakh reward each and area committee members with a Rs 4 lakh for their capture.
The total reward amount of Rs 1.41 crore was handed over to the 37 Maoists individually through demand drafts and cheques. In addition, they will receive benefits in accordance with the government’s rehabilitation policy for surrendered cadres.
The surrendered Maoists handed over eight firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, two SLRs, four .303 rifles and a G3 rifle along with 343 live ammunition of various calibres.
Speaking to mediapersons, the DGP said the surrenders were the result of sustained pressure from security forces, ideological divergences between the cadres, and rifts within the leadership and various formations of Maoists. They had rejoined the mainstream with government facilitation.
Regarding Sambaiah and Narayana, reportedly in custody since last week, the DGP clarified that the surrender was voluntary and not an arrest that would require production in a court within 24 hours.
"The decision of 37 underground cadres reflect a positive and constructive response to the appeal made by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. It also signifies a conscious and pragmatic step to move away from the path of extremism and reintegrate into civil society,” the DGP said.
“They have chosen to prioritise their health and family, and have resolved to lead a peaceful, dignified, and law-abiding life by availing themselves of the rehabilitation and reintegration measures offered by the Telangana government."
Azad and Somada told mediapersons that they had informed the Maoists that they were leaving the outfit due to health reasons. They wanted to lead normal lives with their family members, they said.
They said they had no information of Thippiri ‘Devji’ Tirupati had been appointed Maoist general secretary. They Maoists called upon remaining party cadre and state committee members Damodar and Venkanna to join mainstream.
