In a significant development, 60 Maoists surrendered to police in Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Saturday, officials confirmed. The district, bordering Chhattisgarh’s insurgency-plagued Sukma, witnessed the mass surrender at the Kothagudem Superintendent of Police (SP) office, overseen by the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Multi-Zone 1.

Senior officials, including SP Rohith Raju and Bhadrachalam Assistant SP, announced the event at a press conference. The group, comprising members from various cadres of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), included 16 women and several high-ranking figures. Many hailed from Chhattisgarh’s Maoist strongholds, Bijapur and Sukma.

Authorities credited the surrender to sustained government efforts promoting reintegration through welfare and rehabilitation packages. “It’s heartening to see them choose peace over violence,” SP Rohit Raju told the media, noting one surrender was a senior Maoist leader. The move aligns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s pledge to eradicate Maoism by March 2026, ensuring no further loss of life.

This follows a pattern of surrenders in the district—14 Maoists gave up arms on March 4, and 19 from Chhattisgarh surrendered on February 13. The latest event underscores Telangana’s push to weaken Maoist influence and foster development in tribal areas, offering a hopeful step toward stability.