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Gadchiroli, Oct 14 (IANS) In a potentially seismic development in India’s ongoing fight against left-wing extremism, reports indicate that top Maoist Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu ‘Dada’ alias Bhupathi has surrendered before security forces along with 60 other members in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district.
However, the police have not yet given official confirmation.
The incident on Tuesday is being seen by sources as the biggest mass surrender in the history of the Maoist movement, dealing a huge blow to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
According to reports from police sources, the group laid down their arms and surrendered in the dense forests of Gadchiroli district, which has been the epicenter of the Maoist insurgency for a long time.
However, official confirmation is yet to come from Maharashtra Police or central agencies.
Authorities have urged the public to wait for verified statements, stressing the sensitivity of operations in the area.
Sonu ‘Dada’, a high-ranking leader in the Maoist hierarchy, had earlier expressed his intention to surrender to the government along with his weapons – a rare public admission that had reportedly sown the seeds of discord within the organisation.
Sources suggest that this statement led to internal divisions, leading to defection and weakening of the group’s cohesion.
The surrendered cadres, including women and lower level cadres, are currently being interrogated by the security forces to extract vital information about the Maoist networks, hideouts and future plans.
The incident comes amid intensified anti-Naxal operations in Maharashtra’s eastern districts, where government rehabilitation policies have encouraged surrenders.
The Naxalite surrender and rehabilitation policy provides amnesty, financial assistance and skill training to former rebels to reintegrate them into society. If confirmed, Sonu Dada’s defection could expose key leadership structures, as he is believed to have carried out several high-profile attacks.
Experts see this as evidence of the success of coordinated intelligence and community outreach efforts. Still, with the wait for an official statement, speculation has run rampant – could this mark the beginning of a mass exodus?
The Gadchiroli administration has increased security, while civil society groups are demanding humane treatment of those who surrendered. As the investigation progresses, this unverified report underscores the fluid dynamics of India’s fight against extremism.
–IANS
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