Senior Maoist Leader and 50 Cadres Surrender to Telangana Police in Major Blow to Insurgency
In a significant development for counter-insurgency operations, Malla Raji Reddy, also known as Sangram, a Central Committee Member (CCM) and Politburo Member (PBM) of the CPI (Maoist), has surrendered before the Telangana police. He was accompanied by 50 Maoist cadres, including middle-level and top-level leaders, in an event that officials describe as a major setback to the party's presence in the state.
Key Figures in the Surrender
Raji Reddy, aged 76, is a veteran of the Maoist movement, having joined the CPI (Maoist) in 1975 and held key positions over the decades. He is listed as CCM, PBM, and ORSC in the organization's formation and is known by multiple aliases such as Sathenna, Sayanna, Meesalanna, Sagar, Alok, Deshpande, SN, Laxman, Sanghram, and Murali. Another prominent leader, Devji alias Tripari Tirupathi, also surrendered alongside him.
An official announcement of these surrenders is expected to be made by the Telangana police, possibly in the presence of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy or DGP Shivadhar Reddy, depending on their availability, on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Profile of Malla Raji Reddy
According to police records, Malla Raji Reddy hails from Shatharajpalli village in Mutharam mandal, Peddapalli district, Telangana. He is the son of Veera Reddy and studied Intermediate at Government Junior College in Manthani. He is married twice; his first wife, Rathnamma alias Rajakka alias Nirmala, died in an encounter in 1998, and his second wife is Bicha alias Suguna from Mandri, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. His mother is Rajamma.
Raji Reddy has a daughter, Snehalatha alias Sneha, who holds a B.Sc. and LL.B. and is married to Prof. C. Kasim, residing in Hyderabad. His brother, Malla Bheem Reddy, works in Singareni at Godavarikhani. Physically, he is described as 5.6 feet tall, with a medium build and complexion.
Movement and Operational Context
Sources indicate that Raji Reddy was previously operating in the National Park area of Chhattisgarh. He reportedly moved to Telangana about a month ago following intensified operations by Chhattisgarh police, DRG, and CRPF CoBRA forces in the region. The Centre has been pushing for a March deadline, with combing operations intensifying from the Chhattisgarh side towards Telangana, particularly in the Karreguttalu belt.
In this context, the surrenders have gained significant importance. However, sources also revealed that some of the Maoist leaders and cadres now shown as having surrendered were actually arrested by Telangana police and later persuaded to surrender formally.
Weapons Seized and Broader Implications
Following recent surrenders, including those of Mallojula Venugopal and Ashanna, developments within the Maoist ranks have accelerated. Officials reported that several weapons were seized from the surrendered cadres, including AK-47s and INSAS rifles. Approximately 12 AK-47 rifles were found with the cadres who surrendered.
With the surrender of Raji Reddy alias Sangram and Devji alias Tripari Tirupathi along with 50 cadres, Telangana police have described this as a major development in ongoing operations against the Maoist organization in the region, potentially weakening its infrastructure and influence.
