Taking cue from Devji, more cadres may shun Maoist ideology, join mainstream
Times of India
by BHARTI JAINFebruary 23, 2026
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The expected surrender of Thippiri Tirupahii alias Devji, the de-facto general secretary of the CPI(Maoist), along with another senior leader Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, marks a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency in India. This move is seen as a potential turning point, signaling the decline of the group's influence and ideology. According to sources in India's counter-Naxal establishment, this development is akin to "the last nail in the CPI(Maoist) coffin," as it weakens the morale of remaining cadres and undermines their resolve to continue armed resistance.
The surrender of Devji and Sangram is expected to be announced by the Telangana Police soon. This follows a series of high-profile surrenders, including that of politburo member Sonu and several other central committee members. These moves have created a ripple effect, with junior cadres losing motivation as their top leaders abandon violent resistance in favor of pragmatism. The remaining Maoist cadres, estimated to be around 300 across affected regions, are now operating in small, disjointed groups and may lack the ideological commitment to continue fighting after their leaders surrender.
The article highlights the shifting dynamics within the Maoist leadership, which has historically been dominated by Telugu veterans like Devji. With Misir Besra, the only active member of the politburo, possibly on the run following the killing of his aide Anal da, the movement is left in disarray. Security forces are intensifying operations across the Chhattisgarh-Telangana-Odisha-Jharkhand axis to pressure remaining Maoists into surrendering or facing neutralization.
This development is a major milestone in India's long-standing counter-terrorism efforts against Maoist insurgency, also known as Left-wing extremism. The surrender of top leaders like Devji and Sangram sends a clear signal to other insurgents that continuing
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/23/2026