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Telangana CM Urges Maoists: "Make Miracles with Ballot, Not Bullets"

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced the surrender of 130 Maoist cadres with a large cache of weapons, bringing the total number of surrenders since 2024 to over 700. He passionately appealed for extremists to abandon violence, stating that real change is achieved through the "ballot" in a democracy, not through "bullets." The state government is prepared to revoke cases against surrendered cadres and is considering a financial rehabilitation package. During the same event, the Chief Minister also launched a women's empowerment campaign called "Stand with Her."

Key Points: 700+ Naxalites Surrender in Telangana, CM Appeals for Peace

  • 130 Maoists surrender with 124 weapons
  • Over 700 total surrenders since 2024
  • State offers case revocation, rehab package
  • CM appeals to top leader Ganapati
  • "Stand with Her" women's campaign launched
3 min read

"We can make miracles with ballot": CM Revanth Reddy urges Maoists to join democratic process after mass surrender

Over 700 Maoists have surrendered in Telangana since 2024. CM Revanth Reddy urges extremists to join democracy, offering rehabilitation.

"We can make miracles not with bullets but with the ballot. - CM Revanth Reddy"

Hyderabad, March 8

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that over 700 Naxalites have surrendered in the state since 2024, as he urged Maoist cadres to abandon violence and participate in the democratic process.

Speaking in Hyderabad during a surrender programme where 130 Maoists laid down arms, Reddy said the government believes change can be achieved through democratic means rather than violence.

"After 2024, we made at least 700 Naxalites surrender. They also surrendered 250 weapons. Today, 130 people surrendered with 124 weapons, including AK47s, SLRs, and other weapons. They also handed over 7,000 bullets to the police department during their surrender today," the Chief Minister said.

Appealing to extremists to give up arms, Reddy emphasised that democracy offers a stronger platform for change. "My request to everyone is this: You cannot scare another human being with weapons... We are in a democratic process; we can make miracles not with bullets but with the ballot, so come to the ballot," he added.

The surrender programme was held at the Integrated Command and Control Centre in Hyderabad in the presence of senior officials and police authorities. According to officials, the 130 cadres who surrendered belonged to the Communist Party of India (Maoist). Among them were three State Committee members, one Regional Committee member, ten Divisional Committee members, 46 Area Committee members and 70 other party members.

The surrendered Maoists handed over a total of 124 weapons to the police. These included one INSAS LMG rifle, 31 AK-47 rifles, 21 INSAS rifles, 20 SLR rifles, 18 .303 rifles and 33 other weapons. Police officials said many of the weapons had earlier been looted from security forces during past attacks.

Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy described the development as a major success for the state government and the police force. He said the surrender was the result of sustained efforts by the police to convince Maoist cadres to return to mainstream society.

The Chief Minister also appealed to top Maoist leaders, including central committee member Ganapati, to surrender and join the democratic process. He said the state government is prepared to revoke cases against surrendered cadres within the framework of law and is considering a financial rehabilitation package for them.

The Chief Minister also launched the "Stand with Her" campaign aimed at empowering women in the state.

Reddy said women should not be confined to traditional roles and must be supported to excel in all fields, adding that several schemes have already been introduced to strengthen women's self-help groups and economic opportunities in Telangana.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
A welcome step, but the real test begins now. The government must ensure proper rehabilitation - jobs, education, and social acceptance. We've seen cases where surrendered cadres face stigma and struggle. Hope the financial package is substantial and implemented well. 🙏
R
Rohit P
700 surrenders and so many weapons! That's a huge blow to their capabilities. Kudos to Telangana police for their sustained efforts. Getting back those looted INSAS and AK-47s is a major security win. Jai Hind!
A
Ananya R
The CM linking this to the "Stand with Her" campaign is interesting. Many women are caught in these movements. True empowerment means giving them peaceful, economic alternatives. Hope the schemes for women's SHGs reach these areas effectively.
M
Michael C
As an observer, I find this approach commendable. A peaceful, democratic solution is always preferable. The scale of the surrender suggests a strategic shift. However, revoking cases must be done carefully, balancing justice with reintegration.
K
Karthik V
"Miracles with ballot" – powerful words. This is the essence of our democracy. But let's not forget, for this to work, the ballot must actually address the grievances of alienation and development that fuel such movements in the first place. The government has to deliver.

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