In a major boost to anti-Maoist operations, 41 Maoists surrendered before Telangana Director General of Police Shivdhar Reddy. The group included senior leaders and armed cadres from multiple states, marking one of the biggest surrenders in recent years.
Who Surrendered
Among those who laid down arms were State Committee Secretary Erragolla Ravi Elias Santosh from Kamareddy and Kanikarapu Prabhanjan from Mancherial. The group also included six division committee members from Odisha and Chhattisgarh, along with two Central Vision Commanders. The DGP clarified that all remaining surrendered Maoists belong to Chhattisgarh.
Weapons Handed Over
During the surrender, the Maoists handed over 24 firearms to the police. DGP Shivdhar Reddy said most of these weapons were looted earlier from police forces. He added that the arms match those used by the army and police. Authorities will share weapon serial numbers with police departments across the country and return recovered arms to the concerned states.
Why They Surrendered
Addressing the media, the DGP said the Maoists responded to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s call issued on Police Martyrs’ Day. He explained that internal party orders to move cadres to new and unfamiliar areas by March 31, 2026, played a key role. Delays in essential supplies and the surrender of senior leaders further weakened morale, prompting grassroots cadres to give up violence.
Rehabilitation and Compensation
The government will provide cash compensation based on cadre rank. Both the state and central governments will extend benefits to those who surrendered with weapons. Officials will offer immediate assistance of ₹25,000 to each individual. The total reward amount attached to the 41 Maoists stands at ₹1.46 crore, which authorities will disburse as per rules.
Current Maoist Presence
DGP Shivdhar Reddy revealed that only 54 Maoists remain linked to Telangana, with just six currently active in the state. Police will hand over surrendered cadres to their respective state governments for further rehabilitation.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to peace and urged remaining Maoists to abandon violence and join the mainstream.
