Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) [India], October 15 (HBTV): In a major development, Naxal commander Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu — a senior CPI (Maoist) leader and Politburo member — along with 60 other Naxalites, surrendered before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Gadchiroli Police headquarters.
On Tuesday, Rao and his associates laid down their weapons in Gadchiroli, marking a potential step towards peace with the Centre.
In a statement, Rao sought a month’s time to deliberate before initiating formal peace talks and urged the government to suspend armed operations against party cadres during this period.
‘I am laying down the weapons and will become part of movements for providing relief to the oppressed in India. Since the last week of March 2025, our party has been engaged in peace talks with the government. The party’s chief secretary issued a press statement in May, offering a ceasefire while asking for a month’s time to deliberate on laying down arms. Unfortunately, the Central government did not respond; instead, they intensified their attacks,’ he said.
Rao emphasised that following the CPI (Maoist) Chief Secretary’s call for peace, the group is ready for talks with the government.
‘On May 21, in an attack by the Seema Suraksha Bal, our Chief Secretary, comrade Basavraju, along with staff and guards, were killed. We took this decision not to abandon his call for peace talks. Amid the ongoing mission by the Prime Minister, Home Minister and police, we have decided to lay down our weapons and join the mainstream. We are ready for talks with representatives appointed by the Union Home Minister. We will form a delegation of those who agree with our decision and participate in the peace process,’ he added.
Rao further appealed, ‘We ask for one month from the Centre to hold discussions with our comrades across various states, including those in jails. We are also ready to hold talks via video calls. This will depend on the one month’s time you grant by putting a stop to the bloodshed in the jungles. Our party, leftist organisations, and sympathisers can send us their views, which we will consider.’
The development comes amid ongoing anti-Maoist operations led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and state governments across the country.
In September, Rao had indicated his intention to surrender, garnering support from a large number of Maoist cadres in Chhattisgarh and other parts of India.
(ANI)