Senior Maoist leader Sujatha surrenders to Telangana police after 43 years

Hyderabad: Ending her 43-year-long stint in the insurgency, Pothula Padmavathi, also known as Kalpana, Mynakka, and Sujatha, a senior-most underground leader of the banned CPI (Maoist) surrendered to Telangana police.

Health concerns prompt surrender

Speaking to media persons at his office here on Saturday, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr Jitender said Sujatha, 62, chose to give up her underground life due to deteriorating health.

She held several key positions within the Maoist hierarchy, including Central Committee Member (CCM), Secretariat member, South Sub-Zonal Bureau Secretary, and head of Janathana Sarkas (Revolutionary People’s Committees) under the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC).

Ties to prominent maoist leaders

The DGP further said that Sujatha was married to the late Mallojula Koteshwar Rao alias Prahalad alias Kishanji, a senior Maoist leader and CCM who was killed in an encounter with police near the Bengal–Jharkhand border in West Midnapore district in 2011. The couple had a daughter.

Her political journey began while studying at Government Junior College, Gadwal, when she was influenced by her cousins, several of whom were prominent Maoist operatives who later died in encounters. Sujatha joined the CPI (ML) People’s War Group in December 1982.

Reward and Rehabilitation Assistance

Carrying a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh, Sujatha was handed the amount via demand draft. The DGP confirmed she would also receive additional support under Telangana’s rehabilitation policy for surrendered Maoist cadres, aimed at helping them reintegrate into society.

Telangana’s Maoist Presence

Police data indicate that out of 15 Central Committee Members of CPI (Maoist), 10 hail from Telangana. Overall, 78 underground Maoist cadres are natives of the state.

Police appeal for reintegration

The DGP urged all underground Maoist cadres from Telangana to return to their villages, join the mainstream, and contribute to the state’s development. He assured that the government would provide financial assistance, relief, and other rehabilitation measures to help them lead independent and dignified lives.