Hyderabad, March 30 – Telangana’s Director General of Police, B. Shivadhar Reddy, appealed to the leaders and members of the CPI (Maoist) party to lay down their arms and join the national mainstream on Monday.
The police chief urged the leaders and members of the banned organization to renounce violence, give up their weapons, and join the democratic mainstream to live safe and dignified lives.
Referring to the earlier appeal made by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the DGP, in a statement, urged them to come out of hiding, return to their families, and embrace a peaceful life within society.
The DGP stated that, due to sustained efforts by the Telangana Police over the past two years, as many as 721 Maoists of various ranks from Telangana and Chhattisgarh have surrendered and rejoined the mainstream. This includes four members of the Central Committee, 19 members of the State Committee, and 36 members of the Divisional Committee (DVCMs).
The DGP further informed that all those who surrendered have been provided with financial assistance and other benefits under the State Government’s comprehensive rehabilitation policy, enabling them to lead respectable lives in their native villages.
DGP Shivadhar Reddy made a special appeal to Telangana natives currently active in Maoist groups in other states – Muppalla Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathi (72), Pusunuri Narahari alias Santosh (57), Vartha Shekhar alias Mangthu (51), Jode Ratnabai alias Sujatha (68), Nakka Susheela alias Rela (51), and Rangaboyina Bhagya alias Rupi (43) – to return and avail the benefits of the rehabilitation scheme.
The DGP assured that the State Government would facilitate advanced medical treatment in Hyderabad for Central Committee member Ganapathi, who is reportedly facing health issues. He also recalled the Chief Minister’s personal appeal to Ganapathi during a press conference held on March 7, when 130 Maoists had surrendered.
Highlighting the growing confidence in the State’s rehabilitation policy, the DGP noted that cadres from other states are increasingly showing willingness to surrender. He urged family members and relatives of those still underground to counsel them and guide them towards a peaceful path.
Reiterating that lasting solutions can only be achieved through democratic means in the present context, the DGP called upon Maoist cadres to give up violence and become partners in development.