CM, DGP hold meeting with Amit Shah over talk of impending surrender of top Maoist

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, accompanied by DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy and other top police officials from Telangana, held a crucial meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday night.

The meeting assumed significance amid strong speculation about top Maoist leader Muppala Laxman Rao alias Ganapathi, the former CPI (Maoist) general secretary making attempts to surrender due to ill health. Top police officials denied that Mr. Ganapati has sent feelers to the State police about his intention to give up underground life. However, the meeting with Mr. Amit Shah which lasted over an hour is said to have discussed the naxalite movement in the State and how many underground cadres including the top leadership were giving up armed struggle and joining the mainstream.

Wednesday’s meeting comes just days after four seniormost underground leaders of the banned outfit surrendered before the police. Those who gave up arms include: Politburo member and central committee member Tippiri Tirupathi alis Devuji alias Kumma Dada, CCM Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, Telangana State Committee Secretary Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar alias Jagan; and State Committee member (SCM) Nune Narsimha Reddy alias Ganganna alias Sannu Dada.

The DGP had termed the development as a “decisive setback’ to the Maoist organisation.

A top IPS officer, who attended the meeting told The Hindu that among other things, the issue of naxalite movement and its waning popularity had come for discussion. “We informed the Union Minister that as many as 572 naxalites including 30 top cadres had surrendered before the Telangana police in the last six months,” the officer said but strongly denied that Ganapathi had sent feelers about the impending surrender.

Sources said the State made a strong pitch for increasing the cadre strength in view of the massive expansion of the police administration. They specifically referred to the creation of additional police Commissionerates in the Twin Cities and its suburbs and underscored the need for most senior officers to be posted in crucial posts.

The officials also sought additional resources for the specialised wings like cyber security, Eagle force, narcotics bureau and other crucial verticals for efficient functioning. The meeting also sought funds for ever growing traffic issues in the State.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Additional DGP (Intelligence) Vijay Kumar, IGP (SIB) B. Sumathi and others.