Surrender of Naxals: Don’t lower guard in Gadchiroli, Fadnavis tells security forces

He describes the surrender of outlawed CPI (Maoist) strategist Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi along with 60-odd commanders and cadres as the 'beginning of the end of Naxal movement' in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Describing the surrender of outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) strategist and ideologue Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi alias Sonu along with 60-odd commanders and cadres in Gadchiroli district as the “beginning of the end of Naxal movement” in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, warned the administration, police and security forces not to lower the guard.

“The next two to two-and-a-half-years are going to be challenging…you cannot be complacent…some of the elements who remain may try and launch a final assault in a bid to revive the Naxal movement...we have to be alert,” Fadnavis said in what was a message to the administration, police and security forces of Maharashtra as well as neighbouring Telangana and Chhattisgarh. 

About the Gadchiroli district, Fadnavis, who is also the State Home Minister, said: “North Gadchiroli was declared free from Naxalism some time ago…the surrender of Bhupathi alias Sonu is a big development…now only a handful of them of a company remain in South Gadchiroli…I appeal them to lay down their arms and join the mainstream. They would be properly rehabilitated.” 

Fadnavis said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategy and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s efforts have yielded results. “Ten years ago, the Prime Minister came out with twin strategy — strengthen administration and speed up development in the Naxalite-affected areas and those who engaged in violence were given two options — either join the mainstream or face police action…The Home Minister and made lot of efforts to combat Naxalism by ensuring that recruitment stops and the movement ends,”  he said in what was a reference to the March 31, 2026 deadline to end Naxalism from India. 

“In the coming days, the entire 'red corridor' will be free of Naxalism, Fadnavis said.

"It is a big thing in the history of the country. Sonu alias Bhupathi's surrender is the beginning of the end of the Naxal movement in Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said, adding that the Maoists know that they have lost the ideological war, and equality and justice can be achieved only by joining the mainstream and adhering to the Indian Constitution.

“The surrender of Sonu alias Bhupathi and 60 other cadres will pave the way for the end of the so-called red corridor of Maoists, and it is a moment of pride as it has started from Maharashtra…The remaining cadres, who are in Chhattisgarh, have also understood that they have lost the ideological war and the dreams they were chasing were wrong. They have understood that only the Indian Constitution can ensure them justice…we expect that in the coming days more than 100 Naxals will surrender in Chhattisgarh,” the Chief Minister said. 

"It is a moment of pride for me that it has started from Gadchiroli and Maharashtra," the Chief Minister said and promised that those who have surrendered would be rehabilitated with dignity.