In a significant declaration marking a potential end to a decades-long conflict, Telangana's Director General of Police (DGP) B Shivadhar Reddy has stated that the Maoist movement in the region is effectively over. This announcement comes on the back of the highest-ever number of Maoist surrenders recorded in the state during the year 2025.
Record Surrenders Signal a Collapsing Ideology
Releasing the state police's annual report for 2025, DGP Reddy revealed that a total of 509 Maoists laid down their arms this year. Among these, 23 were from Telangana itself. The police chief attributed this unprecedented wave of surrenders to a growing disillusionment with the armed struggle among the ranks of the insurgents.
"The Maoist ideology is no longer relevant, and leaders and cadres have become disillusioned with the armed struggle," stated DGP Reddy, who has spent decades overseeing anti-Maoist operations. He elaborated that internal power struggles stemming from ideological differences have further crippled the movement, leading to his definitive conclusion: "It cannot sustain anymore. The Maoist movement is over."
The Catalyst: Surrender of Senior Leaders and a Robust Rehabilitation Policy
A pivotal moment occurred on October 10, 2025, when three senior Telangana State Committee Members (SCMs) surrendered before the DGP. This group included:
- Kunkati Venkataiah, in-charge of the South Bastar Divisional Committee.
- Thodem Ganga, in-charge of Janathana Sarkar, South Bastar DVC.
- Mogilicherla Venkatraju, in-charge of the Chetna Natya Manch in the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee.
Officials confirmed that the surrender of these high-ranking leaders triggered a cascade effect, prompting numerous cadres, primarily from the neighbouring state of Chhattisgarh, to follow suit. These cadres were reportedly dependent on logistical and ideological support from leaders operating in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
DGP Reddy heavily credited the state's comprehensive surrender and rehabilitation policy for this success. The policy, which includes a financial assistance package of up to Rs 20 lakh to help former insurgents reintegrate into mainstream society, was cited as a major incentive for the surrenders.
Broader Regional Context and Shifting Security Focus
The decline of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is not confined to Telangana. In the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh, security forces reported seven encounters in 2025, resulting in the death of 18 Maoists, including senior commander Madvi Hidma. Furthermore, 49 Maoists surrendered in Andhra Pradesh, and nine were arrested.
Reflecting the changing nature of threats, Andhra Pradesh DGP Harish Kumar Gupta indicated that the police focus is now shifting towards emerging challenges like cyber crimes and drug smuggling.
DGP Reddy also noted that relentless security operations by forces in Chhattisgarh had pushed many Maoists to cross into Telangana to surrender, highlighting the coordinated pressure across state borders.
Looking ahead, officials estimate that an additional 60 to 70 mid-level leaders and cadres from Telangana, who are still underground, are expected to surrender in the coming year. This projection underscores the sustained momentum of the state's strategy combining firm police action with a persuasive rehabilitation offer, which together have dealt a decisive blow to the Maoist movement in the heart of its former stronghold.
