Under Telangana’s surrender policy, Maoists who surrender will receive the announced reward money, along with medical care, social reintegration assistance, and support to help them transition into mainstream society
Published May 17, 2025 | 11:47 PM ⚊ Updated May 17, 2025 | 11:47 PM
Operation against Maoists. Representative Image.
Synopsis: Telangana Police arrested 20 CPI Maoists in Mulugu district on 16–17 May, as they fled intensified anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh’s Karreguttalu region. The arrests followed inputs about Maoists crossing into Telangana after 31 ultras were killed during Operation Kagar. The detentions occurred across Venkatapuram, Wajedu, and Kannayakgudem, amid heightened border surveillance and ongoing joint operations by CRPF and Chhattisgarh police
Telangana police arrested 20 CPI Maoists in Mulugu district while they were fleeing from the Karreguttalu area in Chhattisgarh state on 16 and 17 May.
The Maoists were reportedly on the run following the increase in intensity of the Operation Kagar, which had already killed 31 ultras in the Karreguttalu region, close to the Telangana border, between 21 April and 11 May. According to an official press release from the Mulugu police, they had detained them while they were keeping a vigil on possible infiltration into Telangana.
The police beefed up security following inputs that the Maoists from Karreguttalu were fleeing in groups to different destinations. As the clampdown by the CRPF and the Chhattisgarh police was continuing, the Maoists were reportedly on the run.
The police said that on Friday, 16 May, they had detained six Maoists at Palem Project in Venkatapuram police station limits. On Saturday, 17 May, seven more were arrested in Murmuru in Wajedu police station limits, and another seven in Guttikoya village under Kannayakgudem police station limits.
The 20 Maoists included one division committee member, Kattam Bheem, 30, from Chhattisgarh state, and five area committee members—Hemala Sukki, Madakam Mase, Kattam Joga, Kunjam Lakka, and Marigala Sumati.
According to the police, all 20 arrested Maoists were involved in a series of 11 serious crimes across Telangana and Chhattisgarh. These include high-profile attacks such as the killing of 11 CRPF personnel in Bijapur in March 2017, 25 in Burkapal in April 2017, and nine more in an IED blast in Kistaram in 2018. They are also accused of murdering suspected informers in China Vutlapalli, executing three policemen in Irrapalli in 2020, 17 DRG/STF personnel in Minappa the same year, and 22 policemen in Takulagurka in April 2021.
The police recovered from their possession: Three INSAS rifles (5.56 mm) and live rounds, Four SLR rifles (7.62 mm),
One .303 rifle, Four 8 mm rifles, 16 weapon cartridges (12-bore), Two live grenades, ₹58,155 in cash, four walkie-talkies, six radios, nine rechargeable batteries, six pen drives, six memory cards, eight card readers, two kit bags and party literature.
On the same day, 17 May, eight Maoists surrendered before the Mulugu district police, according to Superintendent of Police Dr. P Shabarish.They, along with their families, had decided to lead a normal life by availing the rehabilitation package offered by the government under “Poru Kanna Vuru Minna, Mana Vuriki Tirigirandi” (The village is more important than struggle; return to our village).
The surrendered Maoists included one divisional committee member, six party members, and one militia member. They were involved in several crimes in Chhattisgarh state and acted on the instructions of their party bosses, the SP said.
According to the SP, since January 2025 till now, as many as 53 Maoists have surrendered before the police, including one division committee member and six area committee members.
As part of Telangana’s surrender policy, Maoists who surrender before the police will be paid the reward money that had been announced for their arrest. The police will also help them get medical treatment if needed, assist in their social reintegration, and provide necessary support as they transition into mainstream society. On this occasion, the SP handed over cheques for ₹25,000 to each of those who surrendered as immediate assistance.
According to sources, Operation Kagar involved over 24,000 troops, including CRPF, CoBRA, and Chhattisgarh Police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG). The objective was to dismantle Maoist infrastructure. In the operation, 216 hideouts and bunkers have been destroyed. The forces faced extreme heat conditions (45°C), dehydration and difficult terrain.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
