Major Surrender: Senior Maoist Leader Chelluri Narayana Rao Turns Himself In

In a significant turn of events, Chelluri Narayana Rao, a senior leader of the CPI-Maoist, has surrendered to the Andhra Pradesh Police along with eight other cadres. With a history of involvement in major crimes, including high-profile murders, Narayana Rao's surrender is attributed to various factors, including the diminishing support for Maoist ideologies and effective government rehabilitation policies. The police showcased recovered weapons and highlighted their recent successes in combating left-wing extremism. This development marks a crucial moment in the ongoing efforts to address Maoist activities in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 30, 2026, 15:29 IST

Significant Surrender of Maoist Leader

Amaravati: Chelluri Narayana Rao, also known as Suresh, a prominent figure in the CPI-Maoist Central Committee and Secretary of the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee, surrendered to the Andhra Pradesh Police on Monday, accompanied by eight other members.

The Director General of Police, Harish Kumar Gupta, presented the surrendered Maoists to the media.

Hailing from Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, Narayana Rao has been involved with the CPI-Maoist for approximately 36 years, during which he earned a bounty of Rs 25 lakh.

Having joined the Maoist ranks in 1990, he was implicated in several high-profile crimes, including the murders of MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former MLA Siveri Someswara Rao in 2018, as well as the killing of three police officers.

Factors contributing to his surrender include the deaths, arrests, and surrenders of senior Maoist leaders, a growing disillusionment with outdated Maoist ideologies, diminishing local support, and the Andhra Pradesh government's appealing surrender and rehabilitation policies, alongside extensive outreach initiatives and development programs in tribal regions.

Other Maoists who surrendered include Kartam Lachhu, a Company Platoon Commander of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), and several area committee members.

Under the state's surrender and rehabilitation policy, the surrendered Maoists will receive the bounty associated with their names, with Narayana Rao set to receive Rs 25 lakh, while others will get between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.

The police also showcased 19 weapons that were recovered during operations, including an INSAS rifle, two BGLs, five .303 rifles, five SBBL, and six additional firearms.

DGP Gupta highlighted the police's significant progress in combating left-wing extremism over the past year, noting seven firefights that resulted in the neutralization of 18 Maoist cadres, including three Central Committee Members.

The Andhra Pradesh Police have collaborated with their counterparts in Chhattisgarh and Odisha during various operations, leading to the neutralization of two Central Committee Members and numerous other key Maoist figures.

Efforts to thwart Maoist plans in districts such as Krishna, Eluru, NTR, Kakinada, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema have led to the arrest of 50 cadres and the seizure of numerous weapons.

According to the DGP, a total of 31 cadres, including three Action Team members, were arrested, while 106 others, including a Central Committee Member and two Sub-Zonal Committee Members, surrendered. In total, 120 weapons were recovered in the past year.

The DGP commended the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), Greyhounds, and District Police for their relentless efforts in addressing Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the state and nationwide. The SIB and Greyhounds have set a benchmark for other states by effectively transitioning counter-insurgency tactics from traditional policing to specialized guerrilla warfare and intelligence-driven operations.

He asserted that through sustained counterinsurgency measures, the police have successfully diminished the underground cadre presence in Andhra Pradesh to zero.