Basavaraju to Hidma, Sonu to Devuji, top Maoists killed or surrendered since last year, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Since 2024, security forces have killed nearly two dozen senior Maoist leaders, significantly impacting the CPI (Maoist).
• The killing of Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju, the party chief, in May 2025 in Chhattisgarh's Abujhmad was a turning point.
• Key surrenders include Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu, the ideological head, and Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji, the highest-ranking active member.
• In 2024, 219 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh, including six members of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC).

Detailed Insights:

• The killing of Basavaraju, who orchestrated attacks resulting in the deaths of 76 CRPF personnel and was linked to the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack, marked a major success for security forces.
• Madvi Hidma, allegedly involved in the killings of 260 security personnel and 81 civilians, was killed in Andhra Pradesh in November 2025.
• Sonu's surrender in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli in October 2025, along with 60 others, dealt a significant blow due to his role as a communication specialist and ideological leader.
• Devuji, who headed the Central Military Commission of the CPI (Maoist) and created the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army in 2000, recently surrendered in Telangana.
• Other notable surrenders include Rupesh, known as the Maoists' bombmaker, Barsa Deva, Hidma's successor, Chandranna, a senior Central Committee member, and Sujatha, Kishenji's wife.

Key Concepts Involved:

• CPI (Maoist): A banned communist political organization in India that aims to overthrow the government through armed struggle.
• Politburo: The highest decision-making body within the CPI (Maoist), responsible for formulating policies and strategies.
• Central Committee: A key body in the CPI (Maoist), responsible for implementing the policies set by the Politburo and overseeing organizational matters.