High-Ranking Maoist Commander Surrenders to Telangana Police Amid Ongoing Anti-Naxal Operations

Maoist Commander Surrenders

A senior commander of the CPI (Maoist), known as Badse Sukka or Deva, recently surrendered to the Telangana police, becoming one of 20 Maoists to do so. In an interview with a news outlet, he revealed that many Maoist cadres were either killed, surrendered, or returned home during Operation Khagar. This ongoing anti-Naxal security initiative targets CPI (Maoist) cadres and networks in forested areas of South Bastar and Telangana.

During a special discussion, Deva, a senior commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), mentioned that he was apprehended by police while traveling in a Bolero vehicle armed with weapons. He voluntarily handed over his diary, which contained details about all the weapons he had collected.

Background of Deva

Deva, aged 49, hails from the village of Puvvarti in the Konta police station area of Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. He served as a battalion commander for the PLGA and held the rank of DK SGDCM officer. He was regarded as one of the influential tribal leaders within the CPI (Maoist). Deva joined the CPI (Maoist) in 2003, inspired by senior Maoist leader Madvi Hidma. Over the years, he specialized in military planning, procurement of explosives, and the manufacturing of firearms and improvised explosive devices.

Following Hidma's promotion in November 2023, Deva was appointed as the PLGA battalion commander. He played a crucial role in reorganizing Maoist groups during intensified anti-Naxal operations in South Bastar in 2024. Subsequently, he was tasked with overseeing security and logistics in the KGH area. The Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra police, along with the National Investigation Agency, announced a reward of ₹75 lakh for information leading to his arrest.