In a major victory for anti-Naxal operations, notorious Naxal commander Devji, also known by aliases Mallav Raju Reddy, Murali, and Sangram, has surrendered before Telangana police. The surrender took place in Jagtial district, marking a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency just days before the Indian government’s March 2026 deadline to eradicate left-wing extremism.
A senior police official confirmed on Sunday that Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji, a top Maoist strategist and leader of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), laid down arms. Hailing from Telangana, Devji was considered one of the biggest Naxal leaders active in Chhattisgarh. A bounty of Rs 1 crore had been placed on his head due to his role in orchestrating violent activities across the region.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma hailed the development as historic. ‘Devji’s rehabilitation is a decisive step towards ending armed Maoism. Our target is to wipe out Naxalism by March 31, 2026,’ he stated. Sharma noted that Devji rose to prominence after the neutralization of Basav Raju, becoming a key figure in the insurgency.
Several other Naxals surrendered alongside Devji, underscoring the success of sustained security operations in the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border areas. The state government has assured comprehensive rehabilitation for all surrendering militants, aiming to reintegrate them into mainstream society.
Security experts view this as the most important success in ongoing anti-Maoist campaigns. Continuous operations by security forces have intensified pressure on Naxal cadres, encouraging more surrenders. This could accelerate peace efforts in conflict-ridden districts, paving the way for development and stability.