Hyderabad, Jan 3 (NationPress) In a significant blow to the CPI (Maoist), Badse Sukka, also known as Deva, the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion Commander with a bounty of Rs 75 lakh, surrendered to the Telangana Police on Saturday, accompanied by 19 other Maoists, as stated by Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) Sivadhar Reddy.

This act of surrender signifies the dismantling of the last stronghold of the CPI (Maoist) in Telangana, according to the DGP, who noted that the organization’s Telangana State Committee is nearing complete disintegration, with just one State Committee Member (SCM) remaining.

At the same time, Kankanala Raji Reddy, alias Venkatesh, another SCM, also surrendered, striking a significant blow to the PLGA and the leadership structure of the CPI (Maoist) in the state.

“This surrender marks the end of the PLGA Battalion and the Telangana State Committee of the CPI (Maoist),” stated the DGP.

As part of the surrender, the Maoist cadres relinquished arms caches linked to senior leaders, including Hiduma and Badse Deva. In total, 48 weapons were surrendered, comprising two light machine guns (LMGs), one US-made Colt rifle, an Israel-made Tavor rifle, eight AK-47 rifles, ten INSAS rifles, eight self-loading rifles (SLRs), four barrel grenade launchers (BGLs), 11 single-shot weapons, two grenades, one air gun, and 2,206 rounds of various calibers of ammunition.

Badse Sukka, recognized as a pivotal tribal leader within the CPI (Maoist), was the second most influential figure after the late Madavi Hiduma. He joined the CPI (ML) People’s War Group in 2003 and climbed the ranks after receiving rigorous training in military strategy, explosives procurement, weapon manufacturing, and IED deployment.

Following Hiduma’s promotion and exit from the PLGA Battalion in November 2023, Sukka was designated as his successor and appointed as Battalion Commander. Authorities reported that he was implicated in several significant Maoist assaults, including the notorious Jhiam Ghati ambush, which resulted in the deaths of senior Congress leaders such as Mahendra Karma, Vidya Charan Shukla, and Nand Kumar Patel.

In 2024, amid increased security operations in South Bastar, senior Maoist leaders, including Hiduma, Devoji, and Chandranna Damodar, relocated to the Karregutta Hills (KGH). Sukka was assigned the role of security and logistics in the area, where he reorganized PLGA formations to mitigate significant losses during extensive security operations, according to the DGP.

In addition to Sukka, 19 other underground Maoist members surrendered on Saturday.

Under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy of the Centre and state government, a total reward of Rs 1.81 crore will be distributed among the 20 surrendered cadres pending documentation and bank account setup.

This surrender follows an appeal by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who urged Maoist cadres to abandon violence, reintegrate into society, and take part in the state’s development and welfare programs.

According to police sources, the surrendered cadres attributed their departure from the organization to sustained pressure from security forces, a deterioration in logistical networks, forced relocation to unfamiliar areas, and severe shortages of essential supplies. These conditions fostered rising frustration, hardships, and a loss of faith in Maoist leadership, prompting them to seek rehabilitation and a lawful life.