130 Maoists Surrender with Weapons Before CM Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy reiterated that violence and armed struggle cannot solve public problems and emphasized that lasting social change can only be achieved through democratic means. He appealed to Maoists who are still operating underground to abandon weapons and join mainstream society in order to participate in the reconstruction and development of Telangana.
The Chief Minister made these remarks during a major surrender programme held at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Hyderabad, where a large group of Maoists laid down their arms before the state government.
130 Maoists Surrender Before Government
Responding to the Telangana government’s call for peace and rehabilitation, 130 Maoists surrendered before the police in the presence of the Chief Minister. The group included members from various levels within the Maoist organizational structure.
According to officials, the surrendered individuals included three State Committee members, one Regional Committee member, ten Divisional Committee members, forty-six Area Committee members, and seventy party members. The event marked one of the largest Maoist surrender programmes in recent years in the state.
124 Advanced Weapons Handed Over
Along with surrendering themselves, the former Maoists handed over 124 advanced weapons to the police authorities. Officials stated that it was the first time such a large number of weapons had been surrendered in a single event along with militants laying down arms.
The surrender of these weapons was seen as a significant development in the state’s ongoing efforts to reduce armed conflict and promote peace in regions that had previously experienced Maoist activity.
Government Assures Rehabilitation Support
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy assured the surrendered Maoists that the state government would ensure their safety, rehabilitation, and reintegration into normal life. He emphasized that the government would extend financial assistance, housing support, healthcare services, and other necessary facilities to help them rebuild their lives.
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of senior police officials who had built confidence among Maoists and encouraged them to surrender by assuring protection and rehabilitation support.
Call for Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts
During his address, the Chief Minister referred to the example of Mahatma Gandhi, who led India’s independence movement through peaceful resistance. He noted that even large international conflicts ultimately end through dialogue and negotiations rather than violence.
Revanth Reddy emphasized that armed struggle cannot bring lasting solutions to social issues and encouraged Maoists to adopt democratic methods to address their concerns.
Discussions with Former Maoist Leaders
The Chief Minister also revealed that he had recently held discussions with surrendered Maoist leaders including Dev Ji, Damodar, Rajireddy, and Chandranna. During those interactions, they presented several proposals related to rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Revanth Reddy stated that these proposals had been brought to the attention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for further discussion and coordination with the central government.
721 Maoists Have Surrendered Since January 2024
Providing statistics on the state’s rehabilitation efforts, the Chief Minister said that 721 Maoists have surrendered in Telangana since January 2024. The government has adopted a humanitarian approach toward rehabilitation and is working to ensure that surrendered individuals receive proper support.
He also mentioned that the government would examine legal aspects related to pending cases against surrendered Maoists and, if necessary, establish a special committee to review the withdrawal of cases as per legal procedures.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Peace
Revanth Reddy once again appealed to Maoist leader Muppalla Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathy and other underground cadres to surrender and return to normal life. He assured that those who give up violence will receive assistance for housing, healthcare, and financial stability.
During the event, the Chief Minister distributed reward cheques to the surrendered Maoists as part of the rehabilitation process.
The programme was attended by Telangana DGP Shivadhar Reddy, Additional DGP (Intelligence) Vijay Kumar, SIB IG Sumathi, and other senior police officials.
