42 Maoists surrender in Telangana

HYDERABAD: In a major development, 42 Maoists surrendered in Telangana, including Sodi Kesalu (also known as Sodi Kesha, 47), the last commander of the first battalion of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).

A reward of Rs 20 lakh had been announced for Sodi Kesha. Those who surrendered also include senior divisional committee members, area committee leaders, platoon commanders, and cadres from the Maoists’ armed wing active in the Bastar region and along the Telangana border.

The surrendered Maoists handed over several weapons, including five AK-series rifles, four self-loading rifles (SLRs), three INSAS rifles, six barrel grenade launchers, one 9mm pistol, and two revolvers.