In a major jolt to the Naxalite movement in northern Telangana districts, three of its senior leaders along with a woman Maoist surrendered before police on Sunday afternoon.
Durgam Ramanaiah alias Dilip alias Masa alias Ravi (30), prime accused in Koraput jail break in 2004, surrendered before Superintendent of Police Soumya Mishra along with his wife Bellamkonda Sarakka alias Kala (24), commander of Chaitanya Natya Manch of Maoist party operating in Chhattisgarh.
Ramanaiah decided to join the mainstream following ill-health and to look after his ageing parents.
Another senior leader associated with the movement for about three decades and the West Bastar division committee secretary and Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member Merugu Sambaiah alias Suranna alias Naganna (55) also surrendered owing to increasing age and deteriorating health.
Speaking to the media during the surrender, Sambaiah said the Maoist party in India failed to involve the masses and the leadership was not ready to adapt to changing times.
Another Maoist who gave up arms was Dara Saraiah alias Sekhar (30), native of Munipalli village, Hasanparthy mandal in Warangal district. He worked as militant of Maoist party since 1997 and later joined the Jangaon Local Organised Squad Prabhakar Squad.