The police said the surrenders were voluntary, driven by the welfare measures and development activities under "Operation Cheyutha."
Published May 30, 2025 | 1:51 PM ⚊ Updated May 30, 2025 | 4:12 PM
Intensified anti-Maoist operations like "Operation Kagar" in Chhattisgarh’s South Bastar region, has encouraged many Maoists to abandon their armed struggle. (Representational image)
Synopsis: The surrendered Maoists cited disillusionment with the Maoist ideology, internal conflicts, and the promise of rehabilitation under Telangana’s welfare initiatives as reasons for their decision to lay down arms.
In a major boost to the ongoing efforts to curb Maoist activities, 17 members, including both cadres and militia members, of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) surrendered before the Bhadradri-Kothagudem District Police on Friday, 30 May.
The surrendered people included a 14-year-old girl*. The laying down of arms was part of the ongoing “Operation Cheyutha,” which focuses on rehabilitation and welfare measures for surrendered Maoists.
The group, hailing from the conflict-ridden districts of Bijapur and Sukma in Chhattisgarh, included individuals associated with various formations of the CPI (Maoist), such as the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), Revolutionary People’s Committees (RPC), and other affiliated units.
The surrendered Maoists cited disillusionment with the Maoist ideology, internal conflicts, and the promise of rehabilitation under Telangana’s welfare initiatives as reasons for their decision to lay down arms.
The surrender of 17 individuals adds to the growing number of Maoists who have laid down arms in Telangana’s Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Mulugu districts so far this year. According to police sources, approximately 282 CPI (Maoist) members have surrendered in the Bhadradri-Kothagudem district alone this year.
The surrendered cadres included high-ranking members such as Platoon Party Committee Members (PPCMs) and Militia Commanders, indicating a significant blow to the Maoist organisational structure in the South Bastar region.
The police said the surrenders were voluntary, driven by the welfare measures and development activities under “Operation Cheyutha.”
This initiative, coupled with intensified anti-Maoist operations like “Operation Kagar” in Chhattisgarh’s South Bastar region, has encouraged many Maoists to abandon their armed struggle. The Telangana government’s rehabilitation programmes, which include vocational training and livelihood support, have been instrumental in motivating surrenders.
The Bijapur and Sukma districts of Chhattisgarh remain hotspots for Maoist activities, with the Bastar region witnessing significant anti-Maoist operations in 2025. Security forces, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and CRPF, have neutralized 168 Naxalites in Chhattisgarh this year, with 151 eliminations in the Bastar division alone.
Large-scale surrenders, such as those of 86 Maoists in Bhadradri-Kothagudem on 5 April, indicate the Maoist movement receiving a severe blow in the region.
1) Modavi Hunga, S/o Ganga, Age: 29 years, Resident of Gupidi, Gadras PS, Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Platoon Party Committee Member (PPCM), Section B, 2nd Platoon, 1st Company, PLGA Battalion.
2) Sunnam Lachu, S/o Mangu, Age: 25 years, Resident of Mallempall village, Basaguda PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: PPCM, Section A, Deputy Commander, 2nd Platoon, 1st Company, PLGA 1st Battalion.
3) Savalam Lalitha, D/o Sammaiah, Age: 22 years, Resident of Maredubaka village, Usur PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Party Member (PM), Section A, 2nd Platoon, 1st Company, PLGA 1st Battalion.
4) Madvi Shula, S/o Joga, Age: 23 years, Resident of Thumreli para, Puvarthy village, Jegurugonda PS limits, Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Party Member, Erra DKSZCM Protection Team, South Bastar Divisional Committee (DVC).
5) Girl*, Age: 14, Role: Party Member.
6) Nuppa Laxmi, D/o Masa, Age: 26 years, Resident of Tummirigudem village, Usoor PS, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Party Member, Pamed LOS, South Bastar DVC.
7) Kovasi Aduma, S/o Deva, Age: 33 years, Resident of Gadhigudem village, Pamed PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Dharmaram RPC, Pamed Area Committee (AC), South Bastar DVC.
8) Madakam Somdu (alias Gopi), S/o Joga, Age: 27 years, Resident of Gadhigudem village, Pamed PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Dharmaram RPC, Pamed AC, South Bastar DVC.
9) Nuppa Ungi, D/o Nupo Madka, Age: 28 years, Resident of Puvarthy village, Jegurugonda PS limits, Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Puvarthy RPC, Pamed AC, South Bastar DVC.
10) Vanjam Unga, S/o Joga, Age: 34 years, Resident of Polampalli village, Pamed PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Commander, Dharmaram RPC, Pamed AC, South Bastar DVC.
11) Kalmu Dudva, S/o Aatha, Age: 32 years, Resident of Rasapali village, Pamedu PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Errapalli RPC, Pamed AC, South Bastar DVC.
12) Madivi Kakma, S/o Kama, Age: 28 years, Resident of Bhimaram village, Usur PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Pujari Kanker RPC, BKASR DVC.
13) Madakam Sahadev, S/o Ganesh, Age: 20 years, Resident of Bhimaram village, Usur PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Pujari Kanker RPC, BKASR DVC.
14) Muchaki Dhade, W/o Joga, Age: 20 years, Resident of Bhimaram village, Usur PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Pujari Kanker RPC, BKASR DVC.
15) Kovasi Nandhe, D/o Ura (Late), Age: 20 years, Resident of Bhimaram village, Usur PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Pujari Kanker RPC, BKASR DVC.
16) Madakam Hadma, S/o Kosa, Age: 25 years, Resident of Rasapali village, Pamedu PS limits, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Member, Errapalli RPC, Pamed AC, South Bastar DVC.
17) Nuppa Muya, S/o Nuppa Dhula, Age: 40 years, Resident of Puvarthy village, Jegurugonda PS limits, Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. Role: Militia Deputy Commander, Puvarthy RPC, Jagurgonda AC.
(South First has withheld the child’s identity as mandated under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Edited by Majnu Babu).
