HYDERABAD: A major surrender from the Communist Party of India (Maoist) is expected this week, with Telangana state committee member Koyyada Sambaiah alias Azad preparing to give himself up along with a large group of cadres.
Azad, Ramesh in final talks with police
According to reliable sources, Azad and another key leader, Appasi Narayana alias Ramesh, have already initiated contact with Telangana Police through mediators. Around 20 divisional and area committee members are likely to surrender with them. The police may formally announce the surrender on Wednesday.
Another senior leader from the Telangana state committee is also expected to join the group surrender. Currently, 64 Maoist members from Telangana remain underground, and officials believe a significant number will return to the mainstream after this move.
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Azad underground since 1995
Azad, a native of Moddulagudem in Govindaraopet mandal of Mulugu district, went underground in 1995. He earlier served as secretary of the Bhadradri Kothagudem-Alluri Sitarama Raju (BKG-ASR) divisional committee while being a state committee member.
After the death of state committee secretary Haribhushan, a stiff contest reportedly emerged between Azad and senior leader Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar for the top post. Telangana operations continued under Damodar, who was recently appointed state committee secretary.
Azad carries a ₹20 lakh reward.
Ramesh heads technical team
Ramesh, from the FCI area of Ramagundam in Peddapalli district, went underground in 1999. He initially worked as a dalam member in the undivided Karimnagar district and rose to the rank of DCM.
After state formation, he served as a divisional committee member in the Jammu and Kashmir-West Pakistan (JNWP) restructuring block and is currently in charge of the Telangana state committee's technical team. He carries a ₹5 lakh reward.