Hyderabad, Apr 25 (TNT): In a major breakthrough, 47 underground cadres of the CPI (Maoist), including senior leaders from the South Bastar division, surrendered before the Telangana Police along with 32 firearms and 515 rounds of ammunition, State Director General of Police (DGP) B.Shivadhar Reddy said here on Saturday.
Among those who laid down arms were key leaders such as Hemla Iythu alias Vijja, a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) and in-charge of South Bastar Divisional Committee, and Podium Lachu alias Manoj, a Divisional Committee Member and commander of the 9th platoon, the DGP said in a press conference here.
He said the surrenders were driven by the Telangana government’s rehabilitation policy and sustained outreach efforts by security agencies.
The surrendered cache includes one light machine gun (LMG), four AK-47 rifles, INSAS and SLR rifles, pistols, revolvers, and other weapons, significantly weakening the armed capability of the outfit.
He said the development signals a near-total collapse of the South Bastar Divisional Committee of the Maoists, with most top and mid-level leadership from the unit now neutralised.
As per the state’s rehabilitation policy, financial assistance ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹20 lakh will be provided based on rank, in addition to incentives for surrendered weapons.
He said a total of ₹1.5 crore in rewards will be disbursed to the 47 cadres, while interim relief of ₹25,000 each has already been provided.
The Telangana Police said sustained intelligence-based operations and coordinated efforts have led to a sharp rise in surrenders. So far in 2026, a total of 260 Maoist cadres have surrendered in the state, including senior leadership.
He added that the continued weakening of the Maoist structure indicates that Left Wing Extremism is nearing its final stages in the region.
The Director General of Police commended the efforts of the Special Intelligence Branch, Greyhounds, and district police units for their role in facilitating the surrenders and ensuring rehabilitation of former cadres.
TNT TS
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