Three Maoists surrender in Warangal

Warangal, Aug.29 (ANI): A Maoist couple and another rebel surrendered here on Saturday.

They were wanted in connection with the assassination of the Andhra Pradesh Home Minister A. Madhava Reddy and police officer Umesh Chandra. They are key witnesses in the attack on then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.They surrendered before Superintendent of Police (Rural), Shahnawaz Qasim.

The rebel couple, Pasham Parvathalu alias Ganesh and his wife Pasham Swaroopa alias Kavitha, carried a reward of 200,000 rupees on their head. They were associated with the Maoists since 1994.

"Well, today, Pasham Parvathalu alias Ganesha and Pasham Suparna alias Kavita who were part of the Central Action Committee and remained underground since 1994 from Chintala area have surrendered. They were cadre activists," said Qasim.

The duo was associated with a top Maoist leader Takkallapally Vasudeva Rao alias Ashanna, who carried out the assassination of former Home Minister A Madhava Reddy and Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Umesh Chandra in Hyderabad.

The couple had also given shelter to Ashanna when he attempted an attack on the then Andhra Pradesh State Chief Chandrababu Naidu at the famed Tirupati in 2003.

"They (Pasham couple) were involved in the killing of Home Minister A Madhava Reddy and IPS officer Umesh Chandra at Hyderabad, having given shelter to the actual persons who executed the attack and killing. Initially, they were unaware as to whom they are sheltering. They were also witness to the attempt on the then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. They were one of the most important key links having given shelter to the people of central action committee," Qasim added.

Munigala Raji alias Prathap of Dharmasagar Mandal village was the third Maoist to surrender before the police officials. He had been arrested on several occasions but managed to escape the clutches of law every time.

"Another surrendered cadre is Prabhakar also known as Pratap of Bhadrakali Dharmasagar Mandal. He left the Maoists twice and again returned to their fold in January. He would do the recce (reconnaissance) for the outfit. He was active in Jalgam mandal," Qasim informed.

Prathap was associated with Ashanna since 2000.

The Maoists have spread into the rural pockets of 20 of India's 28 states. (ANI)