Hyderabad: Two senior underground leaders of the banned CPI (Maoist) party, including a State Committee member, surrendered before the Telangana Police on Thursday.

Kakarala Sunitha, a 62-year-old Senior State Committee Member and ideologue, and Chennuri Harish, a 35-year-old Area Committee Member, laid down their arms after four decades and nearly ten years in the movement, respectively.

Sunitha, who went underground in 1986, was a key ideologue involved in imparting Maoist ideology and formulating party strategies. She was involved in several encounters, including the recent Annapuram National Park encounter in June 2025, where her husband, TLN Chalam, was killed.

Harish joined the movement in 2015 and was involved in the 2022 Tekametta encounter, where he sustained a bullet injury. Both expressed a desire to lead a peaceful life, motivated by the state's welfare measures and support for those who surrender.

Rachakonda Police's appeal

Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, G Sudheer Babu said, “All underground Maoists native to Telangana must return to their villages and take part in the state's development. Each one will be provided benefits under the government's rehabilitation scheme.”

“Lay down arms and leave the underground – Join the mainstream of public life. On behalf of the Telangana police, we appeal to underground Maoists to return to the mainstream of life. We urge Telangana Maoists to come back to their villages and contribute to the development of Telangana," said the Rachakonda police in a statement.

“If the underground Maoists return to their villages, the Government of Telangana will extend to them the rehabilitation schemes and other assistance provided for surrendered Maoists. The Government will support them in every possible way to help them lead an independent life. The Rachakonda Commissionerate Police assured that they will always strive to extend all the benefits due from the Government for the rehabilitation and livelihood of the surrendered members,” said Rachakonda police.