Telangana Police on Friday declared the end of armed Maoist presence in the state after 42 cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist), including senior leaders, surrendered, signalling what officials described as the “final collapse” of the outfit’s organisational structure.
Director General of Police Shivadhar Reddy said the surrenders included key figures such as Sodi Malla alias Keshal alias Nikhil, a battalion commander of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC).
Also among those who laid down arms were Chapa Narayana alias Gajendar alias Madhu, Secretary of the JMMWP and military chief of the Telangana State Committee (TSC), and Kadthi Sannu alias Manthu, a divisional committee member.
Officials said the 42 cadres belonged to three formations, 21 from the PLGA battalion, 11 from the TSC, and 10 from the DKSZC, marking a decisive blow to the Maoist network in the state.
The cadres surrendered 36 firearms, including AK-47 rifles, INSAS and SLR rifles, along with over 1,000 rounds of ammunition and 800 grams of gold, which police said constituted organisational funds.
Police said the development effectively dismantles the Telangana State Committee, once the core operational unit of Maoist activity in the state, now “completely neutralised”.
Also read: 35 Naxalites surrender in Chhattisgarh
The latest surrenders are part of a broader trend. Since 2024, a total of 761 Maoist cadres have surrendered before Telangana Police, including several senior leaders. In 2026 alone, over 200 cadres have laid down arms within the first three months.
Officials also said the PLGA, considered one of the Maoists’ key military wings, has been severely weakened through sustained operations and surrenders.
The state government has extended rehabilitation packages to those surrendering. A total of Rs 1.93 crore was disbursed to the 42 cadres, with higher-ranked members eligible for larger payouts under the Centre’s surrender policy. Benefits include financial assistance, health coverage, and support for reintegration.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had earlier assured comprehensive rehabilitation measures, including health cards for all surrendered cadres.
Despite the scale of the collapse, police said five cadres from Telangana remain active in other states, primarily Chhattisgarh. These include senior leaders such as Muppala Laxman Rao alias Ganapathi, a long-time Central Committee member.
DGP Reddy said intelligence inputs indicate that Ganapathi is alive but no longer active in forest operations.
With the organisational structure dismantled and leadership largely neutralised, officials said the Maoist presence in Telangana has effectively come to an end, marking a significant milestone in the state’s long-running anti-insurgency efforts.
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