‘End of an era of terror’: Fadnavis presents Indian Constitution to Bhupati, other surrendered Naxalites

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday termed the surrender of senior Naxalite Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi and 60 other cadres as the "beginning of the end of the Naxal movement" in the state.

 

He also urged the remaining Maoist cadres to surrender before the government.

 

The CM was speaking in Gadchiroli after presenting the surrendered Naxalites a copy of the Indian Constitution.

 

Bhupati, a spokesperson of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and its Central Committee member, carried a bounty of Rs 6 crore. He was considered one of the most influential strategists in the Maoist organisation and had long supervised platoon operations along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. 

 

“North Gadchiroli is now completely Naxal-free, and South Gadchiroli will follow soon. This is not just a surrender; it's the end of an era of terror,” Fadnavis said.

 

The chief minister also hailed the sustained operations by the security forces, which led to the neutralisation of 24 Maoists and the surrender of 19 in 2024.

 

Appealing to the remaining Maoist cadres to surrender, Fadnavis said: “The government welcomes you with open arms and rehabilitation. Maharashtra stands with you for a Naxal-free future by 2026." 

 

Fadnavis noted that the Gadchiroli district had witnessed Maoist violence for the last 40 years and was far from development. However, Maoists are now disillusioned after realising the false promises of their movement, he added.

 

“Today, they hold the Constitution in their hands, not guns. This is the real victory, peace through conviction. It is a big thing in the history of the country. Bhupathi's surrender is the beginning of the end of the Naxal movement in Maharashtra,” said the chief minister.

India