NIA ‘most wanted’ list still shows dead Maoist leaders

HYDERABAD: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) continues to display the names of several Maoist leaders who have already died, including former general secretary Nambala Kesava Rao and senior leader Gajarla Ravi, in its “most wanted” list.

The list, published on the NIA website, carries details of 317 persons allegedly linked to terrorism, insurgency, separatism and major financial crimes. Their names and photographs are featured as “absconders.”

Among them is Dandakaranya Zonal Committee member Anne Santosh alias Sagar, who was killed in an encounter in Bijapur district in April 2024. Former Andhra-Odisha Border Committee secretary Gajarla Ravi alias Ganesh died in a June 17 encounter in the Maredumilli forest area. Another senior leader, Venkataravi Lakshmi Chaitanya alias Aruna, also died in the same operation.

Pullam Hanmanthu of Nalgonda district was killed in a January 25 encounter in Chhattisgarh. CPI (Maoist) central committee member Akkiraju Haragopal alias RK died of illness in Bastar on October 14, 2021. State secretary Yapa Narayana alias Haribhushan succumbed to Covid-19 in June 2021. Despite their deaths, their names remain on the NIA list.

Meanwhile, about 40 Maoist leaders still active in the organisation are also listed. They include former central committee secretary Muppalla Lakshman Rao alias Ganapathy, Madavi Hidma, Mallojula Venugopal alias Bhupathi, Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy alias Sadhu, Malla Rajireddy, Modam Balakrishna, Pulluru Prasada Rao alias Chandranna, Takkallapalli Vasudeva Rao alias Ashanna, and Tippiri Tirupati.

Security agencies said the list is meant to identify long-time fugitives and may not always be updated immediately with death or arrest records.