Ashanna spoke during a meeting with former Maoists and families of deceased cadres at Bhattupalli village in Kazipet mandal of Hanumakonda district on Monday.

Ex-Maoists meet families of martyrs in Bhattupalli village

Ashanna said the issues that existed earlier no longer remain. He said his team would work within the law to address current public problems.

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"We will move forward with everyone, not restricted to any single group or community," he said. He added that they would protect those who are with them and also try to save the lives of those still in the forest.

Ashanna says decision should have been taken decade earlier

Ashanna said if the surrender decision had been taken 10 years earlier, when the Maoist party was strong, many lives could have been saved.

He said he had worked for 30 years in the Dandakaranya region for the welfare of Adivasis. During a period of repression, he said, they had worked to defend the right to question authorities.

Ashanna said his movement journey began in Bhattupalli, which serves as a link between Warangal, Hanumakonda and Kazipet cities, and that he has a deep connection with the area.

Others present with him included Pavana Nanda Reddy alias Shyam Dada, Kandaghatla Yadagiri alias Rajman, his wife Padma, and associates Vanitha, Venkatesh, Champa, Santosh, Arjun and Vikas.

Police intelligence units closely monitored the meeting with families of deceased cadres and interactions with former Maoists and their families.