Top Maoist leaders Devji, Raji Reddy surrender before Telangana Police
Only two Central Committee commanders remain at large
Two top Naxal commanders and members of the Central Committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) – Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji and Malla Raji Reddy – have surrendered before the Telangana Police.
However, sources aware of the developments said a formal announcement of their arrest is likely to be made by the Telangana government in a day or two.
Devji carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore. After creating the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), he went on to become a key member of the Central Committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist).
The surrender of Devji and Raji Reddy comes just weeks before the Centre’s March 31, 2026 deadline to eliminate Naxalism in the country.
Their surrender is also a blow to the already depleted leadership of the CPI (Maoist), as 10 Central Committee members had either been killed or had surrendered in 2025.
However, as reported by The Tribune on February 23, around 300 cadres of Maoists remain active in regions bordering Chhattisgarh and Telangana, mainly in the Abujhmad region of Bastar.
Sources have said that penetrating south Bastar still remains a challenge for security forces.
Two other Central Committee members – Misir Besra and Mupalla Lakshmana Rao –remain absconding.
In light of this fact, the decision on adhering to the March 31, 2026 deadline rests with the Centre, sources added.
