A key maoist leader operating in Chhattisgarh, carrying a reward of Rs 20 lakh on his head, surrendered before Telangana Police here today along with his wife, also a naxal.
The 44-year-old naxal, Chambala Ravinder alias Arjun, a native of Warangal district of Telangana, was working as member of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), a Maoist unit, and committed several offences in Chhattisgarh during 24 years of his party life, Telangana Director General of Police Anurag Sharma, told reporters here.
"Arjun had ideological differences with Central Committee leadership of CPI (Maoist) over demolition of schools in tribal areas, cell towers and digging up of roads and other developmental activities.
"He has been facing health problems. Also, the surrender of another prominent naxal leader GVK Prasad alias Gudsa Usendi (in January this year) before the AP Police, had made huge impact on Arjun to take the decision," Sharma said.
Arjun surrendered before police along with his wife Wetti Adimi, who is a Divisional Committee Member and carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh.
She, too had some health problems besides differences of opinion with West Bastar DVC Secretary Aruna, the Telangana Police chief said.
Arjun, joined the People's War Group in 1990 and was immediately shifted to work in DKSZC. He started working as a Dalam member in South Bastar of Dandakaranya.
In 1993, he became Deputy Commander of Special Guerrilla Squad (SGS), which was first military formation. In 1995, he became section commander of the platoon, which was the first platoon formed in Dandakaranya, Sharma said.
In 2004, he was elevated as Commander of 1st Company, which is the first Company formation in DK and in 2005, he was promoted as SCM-State Committee Member.
In 2010, he was made in-charge of Mobile Military School, which imparts military aspects to the cadres, the top police officer explained.
As many as 166 underground cadres (from Telangana) that includes 11 Central Committee members are still working in the CPI (Maoist) in various formations, Sharma said.
"The Maoists can directly approach to police, political leaders, media, relatives, friends for their surrender to the Government. They will be suitably rewarded and rehabilitated," the DGP added.
