In a death blow to the CPI (Maoist), another key commander, Badse Sukka alias Deva, the second most important tribal leader after Madavi Hidma in the CPI (Maoist), surrendered before the Telangana Police on Saturday.
Responsible for several high-profile attacks, including the Jhiram Ghati ambush on Congress leaders, Badse Sukka, who carried a reward of Rs 75 lakh on his head, surrendered with 20 members and also turned over their weaponry to the police. DGP Shivadhar Reddy claimed the latest surrender has left the Telangana State Committee with only one senior functionary who was still underground. The strength of the PGLA has dwindled to just 66 from 400.
Badse Sukka, a ruthless strategist, was the commander of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and a state committee member of the CPI(Maoist). He hailed from the same village as Hidma, who was killed by security forces in Andhra Pradesh in December last year.
Another state committee member, Kankanala Raji Reddy alias Venkatesh, was among the 20-member team that surrendered along with 48 firearms and 2200 rounds of ammunition. Reddy was responsible for providing logistic support to the guerrillas.
The cache of weapons was impressive as it included two light machine guns, an American-made Colt, an Israeli-made Tavor, eight AK-47 rifles, eight self-loading rifles and four barrel grenade launchers.
The surrendered Maoists will get a total of Rs 1.82 crore as part of the state and Centre’s relief and rehabilitation policy.
In the past two years, almost 576 Maoists have surrendered, including four Central Committee members, five state committee members and several other key leaders. In addition, 144 high-quality weapons were also surrendered, leading to demoralisation among the rank and file.
DGP Shivadhar Reddy said, “Time is running out. Please, the rest of you should come out too. There is no benefit in staying once those leading you have themselves been demoralised.”