In what’s being described as a massive victory for anti-insurgency operations, one of the most senior figures in the CPI (Maoist), Badse Sukka — better known as Deva — has surrendered to the Telangana police. He didn’t come alone; 19 other underground members joined him on Saturday, delivering a blow that officials say effectively sounds the death knell for the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and the party's state committee.
Deva isn't just another name in the ranks. Carrying a reward of ₹75 lakh, he was considered the second most important tribal leader in the movement and a contemporary of the notorious Madavi Hiduma. Since joining in 2003, he built a reputation as a specialist in military strategy and explosives. He was the mastermind behind some of the most violent ambushes in recent history, including the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack that wiped out senior Congress leadership in Chhattisgarh.
Alongside Deva, another veteran leader, Kankanala Raji Reddy (alias Venkatesh), also turned himself in. Raji Reddy was known as the logistical backbone of the group, responsible for setting up the guerrilla bases along the rugged Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. As part of their surrender, the group led the police to several ‘arms dumps’—hidden caches of weapons and explosives once used by Hiduma’s elite squads.
The transition to civilian life for these 20 individuals will be supported by the state and central government’s rehabilitation policies. Together, they are eligible for a total reward amount of ₹1.82 crore. The Telangana State Police have promised to fast-track these benefits, emphasising that the goal is to help former cadre rebuild their lives with dignity. For the security forces, this mass surrender is more than just a success; it's a sign that the decades-long insurgency is losing its grip on even its most seasoned strategists.
Also read: Top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike among 6 killed in Odisha
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