Gadchiroli (Maharashtra)

In a major development, Naxal commander Mallujula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu, a senior leader and Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), along with 60 other Naxal associates, surrendered at the Gadchiroli Police Headquarters in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

On Tuesday, Rao, along with 60 Maoist activists, laid down their weapons, signalling a possible breakthrough towards peace with the central government. 

In a statement, Rao said he wanted a month to deliberate before starting formal peace talks and urged the government to suspend armed operations against party workers in the meantime.

He said, "I am laying down my arms and will now be part of the movements struggling for the oppressed sections of the country. Since the last week of March 2025, our party has been engaged in peace talks with the government. In May, the party's chief secretary issued a press statement offering a ceasefire and seeking a month's respite to consider laying down arms. Unfortunately, the central government did not respond to this, but rather intensified the attacks. "

Rao stressed that he is now ready for talks with the government after the party's chief secretary appealed for peace.

He further said, "On May 21, our Chief Secretary, Comrade Basurajo, was killed along with his staff and guards in an attack by the Border Security Force (SSF). We have decided that we will not leave his appeal for peace talks unanswered. During the ongoing mission of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Police, we have decided to lay down our arms and join the national mainstream. We are ready for talks with the representatives appointed by the Home Minister. We will form a delegation of comrades who agree with our decision and will participate in the peace talks. "

Rao further said, "We want a month's respite from the Centre so that we can consult our colleagues in different states and our comrades in jails. We are also ready to talk through a video call. All this is possible only if you stop the ongoing bloodshed in the forests for a month. Our party, Left organisations and sympathisers can send us their ideas, and we will consider them. "

Maharashtra Chief Minister's office release these photos of the occasion on X and called it historic:

ऐतिहासिक! 🚨

🔸Surrender of Maoist Commander Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu Bhupati carrying a ₹6 crore bounty along with 60 other senior Maoists at Gadchiroli in presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis.
MLA Dr Milind Narote, Maharashtra DGP, and other senior police officers and… pic.twitter.com/DIqyiV7Zyo

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) October 15, 2025

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The development comes at a time when anti-Maoist operations are underway across the country under the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah and various state governments. Last September, Rao had signalled his intention to surrender, which was supported by a large number of Maoist activists in Chhattisgarh and other parts of India.