The Naxalite movement in India has faced a significant setback with the surrender of Mallajolu Venugopal Rao, a prominent figure within the CPI (Maoist) organization, also known as Bhupati, Abhay, and Sonu, along with 60 other members. Venugopal Rao is set to formally submit to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Gadhchiroli on Wednesday.
NOTABLE FIGURE WITH LENGTHY CRIMINAL HISTORY
At 70 years old, Venugopal Rao held a position in the Politburo, the top decision-making body of the banned group CPI (Maoist), and was responsible for the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee in Gadhchiroli. He was also in charge of the Central Military Commission for the organization, operating from Abujhmad, a dense forest area along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border known as a stronghold for Naxalites.
Authorities believe Venugopal Rao orchestrated numerous high-impact assaults, including the 2010 Dantewada attack on CRPF personnel, resulting in the deaths of 76 soldiers. He is facing a range of charges such as murder, attempted murder, assaults on security forces, and arson, with rewards totaling over Rs 7 crore in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.
FAMILY BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL HISTORY
Originally from Pedappali in the former Andhra Pradesh, Venugopal Rao, a graduate in commerce, is the sibling of Mallajolu Koteshwar Rao, also known as Kishenji, a senior Naxalite leader who was killed in a clash with security forces in 2010. His spouse, Tarakka, surrendered to Gadhchiroli police in 2018.
SIGNIFICANT WIN FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
Officials from Gadhchiroli police view this surrender as a noteworthy triumph for law enforcement and a substantial stride towards eradicating Naxalite influence, aligning with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s earlier declaration that Naxalism will be eradicated by 2026.
The formal surrender of Venugopal Rao and his associates is anticipated to fortify counter-insurgency operations and indicate a weakening of the Naxalite network in central and eastern India.