The banned CPI (Maoist) group has been dealt a significant blow, especially as it marks its 21st anniversary. Two of its senior leaders from Telangana were killed in what authorities described as an ‘encounter’ in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Monday.
The two Central Committee Members of the CPI (Maoist) who died were identified as Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy, 65, known as Kosa, and Katta Ramchandra Reddy, 61, also known as Vikalp. Both originated from the former undivided Karimnagar district, an area historically significant for Naxalite activities.
Satyanarayana Reddy hailed from Gopalraopally village (now in Rajanna Sircilla district), while Ramchandra Reddy was from Tigalaguntapally village (now in Siddipet district). Each carried a substantial reward of ₹40 lakh in Chhattisgarh. Ramchandra Reddy, a law graduate, served as the key spokesperson for the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) until his demise. He was also recognized by other aliases within the party, including Gudsa Usendi and Raju Dada.
Following a series of setbacks in recent months, the outlawed organization lost two Central Committee members in a single day within Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, an area long considered the heartland of Maoist insurgency.
In response, Potu Ranga Rao, secretary of the CPI (ML) Mass Line (Prajapandha), issued a statement condemning Monday’s ‘encounter.’ He asserted that these were ‘cold-blooded murders’ and urged the BJP governments, both at the Centre and in Chhattisgarh, to immediately cease ‘Operation Kagar’ and initiate peace talks.