Maoist central committee leaders Chandranna, Prabhat surrender before Telangana DGP

Hyderabad: In a significant breakthrough under the Centre’s Operation Kagaar, two senior Maoist leaders, Pulluri Prasada Rao alias Shankaranna (Chandranna) and Banda Prakash alias Prabhat, surrendered before Telangana Director General of Police Shivdhar Reddy on Tuesday.

Both leaders, carrying cash rewards of Rs 25 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, respectively, gave up arms and pledged to join the mainstream, responding to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s appeal to Maoists to return to public life.

Operation Kagaar triggers wave of surrenders

DGP B Shivdhar Reddy said the coordinated anti-Maoist operations by the Centre and the proactive rehabilitation approach of the Telangana government are driving several underground members to surrender.

So far, 427 Maoists have laid down arms in Telangana, including eight State Committee members and two Central Committee members. Currently, 64 members from Telangana remain underground.

“Those who come forward to surrender will face no action. They will be given protection and a chance to live a normal life,” the DGP assured.

The Journey of Chandranna: From radical student to central committee member

Hailing from Peddapalli district, Pulluri Prasada Rao began his political journey as a radical student activist in the early 1980s.

He joined the movement in 1980 as a courier for Maoist leader Kishenji. In 1981, he entered the People’s War Group, and by 1983, he became a commander. He later served as Adilabad District Secretary (1992) and Central Committee member (since 2008).

Due to deteriorating health and growing disillusionment with the direction of the Maoist movement, he decided to respond to CM Revanth Reddy’s October 21 peace appeal and rejoin society.

“This is not surrender, it’s a step to work for people’s development,” he said. “Our ideology hasn’t failed; we are choosing a new way to serve the people.”

Banda Prakash’s 45-year journey ends

Banda Prakash alias Prabhat, who hails from Mandamarri in Telangana, has been part of the Maoist movement for over four decades.

He joined the organisation while still in school and rose to become a State Committee member and key organiser in the National Park region. He also took part in the 2004 peace talks between Maoists and the government.

‘Internal rift led to our exit’: Chandranna reveals party divide

In a striking revelation, Chandranna admitted that serious internal rifts and ideological divisions have weakened the Maoist organisation.

“There are deep splits in the CPI (Maoist). Leadership disputes and factional conflicts have eroded unity,” he said. “We wanted to focus on people’s struggles, not internal fights.”

He confirmed that Tipparti alias Devji has been appointed the new General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist), while other factions continue to work separately.

‘Joined mainstream to serve people’

Prasada Rao said their decision was motivated by a desire to contribute to development and peace efforts.

“We are not here to surrender but to stand with the people. For years, we fought for the poor and oppressed. Now, we will continue that mission in democratic ways,” he stated.

He added that the Maoist ideology remains alive, but its path must evolve. “We believe service among people is the true continuation of our movement,” he said.

Government’s message: Peace over punishment

DGP Shivdhar Reddy reiterated that the government’s policy focuses on rehabilitation, not retribution. “Those who lay down arms will not be prosecuted. They will be protected and supported to rebuild their lives,” he said.