Hyderabad: Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu, a surrendered CPI (Maoist) central committee and Politburo member, visited his native place in Peddapalli on Sunday amid tight security. This marked his first return home since surrendering in Maharashtra last Oct.
Having spent about four and a half decades in the Maoist movement, Sonu surrendered in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. He remained in Maharashtra after the surrender and did not visit his home until now. He came to Peddapalli after learning that his relative, Anjaiah, was unwell.
First visit after surrender
Family members and relatives were happy to see him again and posed for photographs with him. The visit was described as a family reunion after years of separation.
In view of the sensitive situation and factional issues among groups, a team of about 10 policemen from Maharashtra, along with local police, provided protection during the visit.
Sonu's return also revived memories within the family. His brother, Mallojula Koteswara Rao, was killed in an encounter in West Bengal in Nov 2011. Both brothers had joined the Maoist movement and risen through the ranks to reach the level of the central committee.
The visit also came against the backdrop of a recent family bereavement. In 2022, Sonu's mother, Mallojula Madhuramma, passed away at the age of 96. He did not attend her funeral. He later released an emotional letter from hiding, seeking forgiveness from her.
Sudhakar Reddy Udumula is the Editor (Investigation) at the Times...
Read MoreSudhakar Reddy Udumula is the Editor (Investigation) at the Times of India, Hyderabad. Following the trail of migration and drought across the rustic landscape of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sudhakar reported extensively on government apathy, divisive politics, systemic gender discrimination, agrarian crisis and the will to survive great odds. His curiosity for peeking behind the curtain triumphed over the criminal agenda of many scamsters in the highest political and corporate circles, making way for breaking stories such as Panama Papers Scam, Telgi Stamp Paper Scam, and many others. His versatility in reporting extended to red corridors of left-wing extremism where the lives of security forces and the locals in Maoist-affected areas were key points of investigation. His knack for detail provided crucial evidence of involvement from overseas in terrorist bombings in Hyderabad.
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