Telangana DGP offers prayers at Tirumala, urges Maoists to surrender

Telangana DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy visited the Tirumala temple days after urging Maoists to surrender. He highlighted the state's rehabilitation policy, which has seen 721 cadres surrender, and appealed to specific leaders to rejoin the mainstream.

Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy on Friday visited the famed Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in Tirupati district, where he offered prayers to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy.

DGP's Appeal to Maoist Cadres

This visit comes days after DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy made a strong appeal to underground Maoist cadres on March 31, urging them to renounce violence, surrender, and reintegrate into mainstream society under the State Government's rehabilitation policy. Recalling the earlier appeal made by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the DGP, urged them to come out of the underground, return to their families, and embrace a peaceful life within society.

Success of Rehabilitation Policy

DGP stated that, owing to sustained efforts by the Telangana Police over the past two years, as many as 721 Maoists of various ranks from Telangana and Chhattisgarh have surrendered and rejoined the mainstream. This includes four Central Committee members, 19 State Committee members, and 36 Divisional Committee members (DVCMs).

The DGP further informed that all surrendered individuals have been extended financial assistance and other benefits under the State Government's comprehensive rehabilitation policy, enabling them to lead respectable lives in their native villages.

Special Appeal to Telangana Natives

The release said that DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy made a special appeal to Telangana natives currently active in Maoist groups in other states--Muppalla Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathi (72), Pusunuri Narahari alias Santosh (57), Vartha Shekhar alias Mangthu (51), Jode Ratnabai alias Sujatha (68), Nakka Susheela alias Rela (51), and Rangaboyina Bhagya alias Rupi (43)--to return and avail the benefits of the rehabilitation scheme.

In particular, the DGP assured that the State Government would facilitate advanced medical treatment in Hyderabad for Central Committee member Ganapathi, who is reportedly facing health issues. He also recalled the Chief Minister's personal appeal to Ganapathi during a press conference held on March 7, when 130 Maoists had surrendered.

Growing Confidence in Policy

Highlighting the growing confidence in the State's rehabilitation policy, the DGP noted that cadres from other states are increasingly showing willingness to surrender. He urged family members and relatives of those still underground to counsel them and guide them towards a peaceful path.

Reiterating that lasting solutions can only be achieved through democratic means in the present context, the DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy once again called upon Maoist cadres to give up violence and become partners in the development. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)