In a major blow to the outlawed CPI (Maoist), 12 members of the group from Chhattisgarh surrendered to Telangana Police in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, signaling a continuing decline in Maoist activity across central India.
The group included two Divisional Committee Members, four Area Committee Members, and two each from the outfit&rsquo;s militia wing, political arm, and the Revolutionary People&rsquo;s Committee. The surrender took place before Superintendent of Police B. Rohit Raju at the district police headquarters.
Police attributed the breakthrough to &ldquo;Operation Cheyutha&rdquo;, an initiative by the Telangana Police that focuses on de-radicalisation and the rehabilitation of former Maoist cadres through financial aid, vocational training, and social reintegration.
So far in 2025, 294 Maoists have surrendered in Bhadradri Kothagudem alone, with many of them hailing from neighboring Chhattisgarh&mdash;highlighting the region's significance as a former stronghold of Maoist activity.
According to officials, the surrendered individuals cited ideological disillusionment, hardships of guerrilla life, and a strong desire to reunite with their families as key reasons for leaving the insurgency.
Each surrendered cadre was granted an interim relief amount of ₹25,000, with additional assistance pending based on their previous ranks and roles within the organisation. The defection of two high-ranking divisional leaders is seen as a major setback for the group&rsquo;s command structure and morale.
Nationwide, over 1,260 Maoists have laid down arms in 2025 so far, with 566 of those in Telangana alone. Authorities view this as a sign of growing success in efforts to bring peace and development to insurgency-hit areas.
Bhadradri Kothagudem, strategically located along the inter-state border, continues to serve as a critical zone in the government&rsquo;s anti-Maoist campaign. Police officials say the focus remains on encouraging more surrenders while maintaining pressure on remaining insurgents. Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.

12 members of the Maoist group from Chhattisgarh surrendered to Telangana Police

12 CPI(Maoist) members, including top leaders, lay down arms amid growing wave of surrenders in 2025

Top Chhattisgarh Maoists Surrender in Telangana

12 CPI(Maoist) members, including top leaders, lay down arms amid growing wave of surrenders in 2025

June 20, 2025 | 17:17 IST