THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Gadchiroli, Oct 15: In a major breakthrough for anti-Naxal operations, top Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao, better known as Bhupathi, laid down arms before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Gadchiroli on Wednesday, marking a turning point in the decades-long insurgency in the region.
Bhupathi, once regarded as one of the Maoist movement’s chief strategists, surrendered along with 60 other cadres, bringing with them 54 weapons, including seven AK-47s and nine INSAS rifles.
Bhupathi, who had a ₹6 crore bounty on his head, had long overseen Maoist operations and strategy along the Maharashtra–Chhattisgarh border and was instrumental in building the Aheri Sironcha group that intensified the insurgency in Gadchiroli over four decades ago.
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His decision to surrender came after the recent surrender of his close family members — his wife Vimla Sidam (Tarakka) in January and sister-in-law Padmavati (Sujata) last month — which, officials said, deeply affected him and became a crucial factor in his decision to give up arms.
In a symbolic gesture, the surrendering Naxalites handed over their rifles to the Chief Minister, who in turn presented them with copies of the Indian Constitution. By doing so, they pledged their allegiance to the democratic framework of the country.
Calling it a historic moment, CM Fadnavis said, “Today is an important day for Gadchiroli. The fight against Maoism in this district began over 40 years ago, and today, we have taken a decisive step towards ending it. Bhupathi’s surrender is especially significant as he was among those who laid the foundation of the movement here.”
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He noted that areas such as Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gondia, and neighboring states like Chhattisgarh and Telangana were also once deeply affected, but sustained efforts have weakened the insurgency and cleared the path for development.
