Surrendered Maoist leaders meet families after years underground

Hyderabad: Days after laying down arms, two senior surrendered leaders of the CPI (Maoist) central committee stepped briefly out of interrogation rooms to reunite with their families — emotional meetings that underscored the dramatic shift from decades of underground life to public scrutiny, even as multiple agencies continue to question them. Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devji and Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram met close relatives in the city this week under police supervision. On Wednesday, Raji Reddy reunited with his son, daughter and grandchildren, while Devji met his brother and two nieces, both educated and employed. Those present described the encounters as deeply emotional, marking their first face-to-face interaction in many years. Officials said both leaders are being interrogated by agencies from across the country, including intelligence units, as part of standard procedures following the surrender of high-ranking Maoist functionaries. From underground to mainstream Devji reportedly told Telangana police that he wished to visit the Hi-Tec City area and interact with IT employees to better understand contemporary social issues. He also indicated political ambitions, saying he intends to work within the legal framework and fight for people through democratic means. Separately, Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar, secretary of the Telangana state committee, is learnt to have told police that residents of his Mulugu constituency had urged him to contest elections there. Investigators are closely examining diaries and digital devices recovered from the surrendered leaders. Sources said information obtained from these materials has already led to the discovery of large arms dumps at multiple locations, including caches containing AK-47 rifles. More surrenders likelyOfficials indicated that more surrenders could follow soon. Around 40 to 50 underground cadres who reportedly laid down arms along with weapons are expected to formally surrender before the police in the coming days. Police said questioning will continue, adding that further action will depend on the outcome of ongoing investigations by various agencies.