Setback To Extremists: 37 Maoists Surrender

In a major blow to the Maoist movement, 37 Maoists, including 25 women from Telangana and Chhattisgarh, today surrendered before State DGP B Shivadhar Reddy in Hyderabad.

The group also handed over a cache of weapons, including AK-47, SLR, G3 and .303 rifles, and ammunition.

Top Maoist leaders Koyyada Sambaiah alias Azad (49), Appasi Narayana alias Ramesh (70) and Muchaki Somada alias Erra (42) were among those who laid down their arms.

Azad, a Telangana State Committee member carrying a reward of Rs 20 lakh, had been underground for 30 years. Another senior leader, Appasi Narayana, also carried a reward of Rs 20 lakh.

Addressing a press conference, the DGP said that the government would extend cash rewards and rehabilitation support to all surrendering cadres. A total of Rs 1.41 crore would be distributed among the 37 Maoists, he said.

The DGP credited the surrender to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's appeal to the Maoists to join the mainstream, made during the Police Martyrs' Day program. "Whether they approach us through the media, officials or political leaders - we will welcome them," he said.

Shivadhar Reddy said that about 465 Maoists had surrendered in the last 11 months, while 59 from Telangana still remained underground, including five Central Committee and ten State Committee members.

Responding to media queries, Azad said, "We informed the party before surrendering. Many State Committee leaders also want to come out." Erra said that the changing circumstances and heavy losses had made it increasingly difficult to continue the movement.