Harish Kumar Gupta, the Director General of Police (DGP) of Andhra Pradesh, announced that the state is now free of Maoist presence, marking a significant milestone before the deadline set by the Centre ends.
The declaration follows the surrender of nine Maoists on March 30, including the senior leader of the outlawed outfit Chelluri Narayana Rao, also known as ‘Suresh’. Rao, aged 56, was a member of the Central Committee of the party and served as Secretary of the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) Special Zonal Committee.
Gupta said that the Maoist chapter in the state has “effectively come to a close.” He was accompanied by Intelligence Chief Mahesh Chandra Ladda, Special Investigation Branch (SIB) Inspector General PHD Ramakrishna, and SIB Superintendent of Police Geetha Devi.
Highlighting recent achievements, Gupta said that over the past 18 months, 18 Maoists were killed in encounters across the state. Among those killed were key figures such as Central Committee members Madvi Hidma, Gajarla Ravi, and Metturi Jogarao. Additionally, members of the AOB Special Zonal Committee, including Venkata Ravi Chaitanya, Kakuri Pandanna, and Madakam Raje, were also neutralised.
The police have arrested 81 Maoists during this period, while 106 individuals have surrendered. Authorities also recovered 120 weapons and continue efforts to locate hidden arms caches.
Gupta commended the coordinated efforts of the SIB, Greyhounds, Intelligence Department, and district police forces in eliminating Left-Wing Extremism. He added that surrendered Maoists would receive financial incentives and be integrated into government welfare schemes. As part of immediate relief, each surrendered individual was provided with Rs 20,000.
The announcement signals a major step in the state’s internal security landscape, with officials expressing confidence in sustaining peace and preventing any resurgence of extremist activities.
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