23 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

5 min

Polity & GovernanceSocial IssuesNEWS

Top Maoist Leaders Surrender in Telangana: Setback for Movement

Senior Maoist leaders surrender in Telangana, a major blow to the movement.

Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji, the general secretary of the CPI (Maoist), along with Malla Raji Reddy and 16 other members, surrendered to the Telangana police in Komaram-Bheem Asifabad district on Sunday, marking a significant blow to the outlawed organization. Devji, 60, carried a reward of ₹2.5 crore, while Raji Reddy, 76, had a reward of ₹1 crore on his head.

Devji, hailing from Ambedkar Nagar in Korutla town of Jagtial district, Telangana, joined the CPI (ML) People’s War Group in 1983 and rose to become a key strategist. He is linked to major Maoist attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada ambush in Chhattisgarh, where 74 CRPF personnel were killed. Malla Raji Reddy, from Satharajpalli village of Peddapalli district, joined the Naxalite movement in 1975.

This surrender comes ahead of the Union government's March 31, 2026, deadline to eliminate Naxalism. Over the last year, 2,793 cadres have surrendered across the country, including 1,590 in Bastar alone. In comparison, there were 1,040 surrenders in 2025, 881 in 2024, 376 in 2023, and 496 in 2022. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Saturday that the campaign to rid the country of Maoist insurgency is on track and will be over by the end of March.

The surrender of these top leaders leaves the Maoist movement rudderless, with the Politburo and Central Committee nearly wiped out. The Telangana police mounted pressure through families and acquaintances, urging surrender. This development is crucial for internal security and governance, relevant for UPSC GS Paper III.

Key Facts

Tippiri Tirupati (Devji) and Malla Raji Reddy surrendered in Asifabad district.

Devji is reported to have succeeded as the general secretary of the CPI (Maoist) after Nambala Keshav Rao's death in May 2025.

Devji played a major role in the creation of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).

The Union government has fixed March 2026 as the deadline to eliminate armed struggle from the country.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper III: Internal Security - Challenges to internal security through extremism.

Linkage between socio-economic factors and extremism.

Government policies and strategies to counter extremism.

Role of state and central governments in addressing LWE.

In Simple Words

Some big leaders of a Maoist group in Telangana have given up their fight. This is a big deal because it weakens the group. The government wants to end this kind of fighting by March 2026.

India Angle

In India, Maoist groups have been fighting for a long time, saying they want to help poor people. When their leaders surrender, it affects the safety and peace in areas where they operate.

For Instance

Think of it like a local gang losing its leader; the gang becomes less powerful, and the neighborhood feels safer.

When these groups become weaker, it means less violence and more chances for normal life to continue without fear.

Maoist leaders surrendering means a step towards peace and stability.

Tippiri Tirupati (Devji) and Malla Raji Reddy, along with other cadres, surrendered in Asifabad district. Devji, likely the general secretary after Nambala Keshav Rao's death, surrendered with other senior leaders and cadres, influenced by surrenders and the government's deadline to eliminate armed struggle by March 2026. Devji played a key role in creating the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).

Expert Analysis

The recent surrender of top Maoist leaders in Telangana highlights several key concepts related to internal security and governance in India. Understanding these concepts is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the news.

The Communist Party of India (Maoist) is a banned Maoist organization in India that aims to overthrow the government through armed struggle. Formed in 2004 through the merger of the People's War Group (PWG) and the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI), the CPI (Maoist) has been involved in numerous violent attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada ambush. The surrender of leaders like Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji, who was a key strategist and general secretary of the party, significantly weakens the organization's leadership and operational capabilities.

Left Wing Extremism (LWE), also known as Maoism or Naxalism, refers to the violent movements led by Maoist groups in India. The government has been implementing various strategies to counter LWE, including security operations, development initiatives, and surrender and rehabilitation policies. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to eliminate Naxalism in the country, indicating the government's commitment to addressing this issue. The surrender of 2,793 cadres in the last year reflects the impact of these counter-LWE strategies.

The Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy is a key component of the government's strategy to address LWE. This policy aims to encourage Maoist cadres to surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society by providing them with financial assistance, vocational training, and legal protection. Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B Shivadhar Reddy called upon underground CPI (Maoist) leaders and cadres to give up arms, offering assistance and benefits under the state government's scheme. The increasing number of surrenders, with 1,040 in 2025 compared to 496 in 2022, suggests the effectiveness of these policies.

For UPSC aspirants, understanding the CPI (Maoist), LWE, and the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy is essential for both prelims and mains. Questions may be asked about the causes and consequences of LWE, government strategies to counter it, and the impact of these policies on affected regions. This topic is particularly relevant for GS Paper III, which covers internal security and disaster management.

Visual Insights

Maoist Affected Areas and Recent Surrenders

Map showing the location of Asifabad district in Telangana where the Maoist leaders surrendered, and the general area of the Red Corridor.

Loading interactive map...

📍Telangana📍Chhattisgarh

Key Statistics on Maoist Surrenders

Dashboard highlighting key statistics related to Maoist surrenders and government targets.

Maoist Leaders & Cadres Rejoined Normal Life (Telangana): 588
Total Cadres Surrendered (Across India): 2,793
Cadres Surrendered in Bastar: 1,590
Deadline to Eliminate Maoist Movement: March 31, 2026

More Information

Background

The issue of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India has deep historical roots, stemming from socio-economic inequalities, land disputes, and lack of development in certain regions. The Naxalite movement, which originated in Naxalbari, West Bengal, in 1967, laid the foundation for the emergence of various Maoist groups, including the Communist Party of India (Maoist). These groups aim to establish a communist society through armed struggle, targeting state infrastructure and security forces. Over the years, the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to counter LWE, combining security measures with development initiatives. The security forces have been conducting operations to neutralize Maoist insurgents and dismantle their organizational structures. Simultaneously, the government has been implementing development programs in LWE-affected areas to address the underlying causes of discontent and alienation. Key to this strategy is the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, which aims to incentivize Maoist cadres to abandon violence and reintegrate into mainstream society. The constitutional framework for addressing LWE involves the division of powers between the Union and the states. While law and order is primarily a state subject, the Union government provides support to the states in terms of security forces, intelligence sharing, and financial assistance. The affected states have also enacted their own laws and policies to deal with LWE, taking into account the specific challenges and circumstances in their respective regions.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on addressing LWE through a combination of security operations and development initiatives. The government has launched targeted operations in LWE-affected areas, resulting in the neutralization of several key Maoist leaders and the surrender of numerous cadres. Simultaneously, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure, education, and healthcare in these regions, aiming to win the hearts and minds of the local population. The government's current stance is to continue with its multi-pronged approach, focusing on both security and development. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the affected states to ensure effective implementation of counter-LWE strategies. There have been discussions on refining the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy to make it more attractive to Maoist cadres and facilitate their reintegration into society. Looking ahead, the government aims to eliminate LWE by the end of March 2026, as stated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This ambitious target requires sustained efforts on both the security and development fronts. The focus will be on strengthening the capacity of state police forces, improving intelligence gathering, and accelerating development projects in LWE-affected areas. The success of this mission will depend on effective coordination between the Union and the states, as well as the active participation of local communities.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Communist Party of India (Maoist): 1. It was formed in 2004 through the merger of the People's War Group (PWG) and the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI). 2. Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji was the general secretary of the party until his recent surrender. 3. The party aims to establish a democratic republic through constitutional means. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The CPI (Maoist) was indeed formed in 2004 through the merger of the People's War Group (PWG) and the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI). Statement 2 is CORRECT: Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji was the general secretary of the party until his recent surrender to the Telangana police. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The CPI (Maoist) aims to overthrow the government through armed struggle, not through constitutional means. Their goal is to establish a communist society by violent means.

2. In the context of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India, what is the primary objective of the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy?

A.To provide financial assistance to the families of LWE victims
B.To encourage Maoist cadres to surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society
C.To strengthen security forces in LWE-affected areas
D.To promote economic development in LWE-affected regions

Show Answer

Answer: B

The primary objective of the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy is to encourage Maoist cadres to surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society. This is achieved by providing them with financial assistance, vocational training, and legal protection, as stated in the article. The policy aims to reduce violence and promote peace in LWE-affected areas.

3. Which of the following factors contributed to the rise of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India? 1. Socio-economic inequalities 2. Land disputes 3. Lack of development in certain regions Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: D

Socio-economic inequalities, land disputes, and lack of development in certain regions are all significant factors that contributed to the rise of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India. These factors create a sense of alienation and discontent among the affected populations, making them susceptible to Maoist ideology.

4. Assertion (A): The surrender of top Maoist leaders like Devji is a significant blow to the outlawed CPI (Maoist) organization. Reason (R): The surrender has led to the near wipeout of the Politburo and Central Committee of the Maoist party. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The surrender of top Maoist leaders like Devji is indeed a significant blow to the CPI (Maoist) organization because it has led to the near wipeout of the Politburo and Central Committee, weakening the organization's leadership and operational capabilities.