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Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, accompanied by DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy and other top police officials from Telangana, held a crucial meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday night.
The meeting assumed significance amid strong speculation about top Maoist leader Muppala Laxman Rao alias Ganapathi, the former CPI (Maoist) general secretary making attempts to surrender due to ill health. Top police officials denied that Mr. Ganapati has sent feelers to the State police about his intention to give up underground life. However, the meeting with Mr. Amit Shah which lasted over an hour is said to have discussed the naxalite movement in the State and how many underground cadres including the top leadership were giving up armed struggle and joining the mainstream.
Wednesday’s meeting comes just days after four seniormost underground leaders of the banned outfit surrendered before the police. Those who gave up arms include: Politburo member and central committee member Tippiri Tirupathi alis Devuji alias Kumma Dada, CCM Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, Telangana State Committee Secretary Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar alias Jagan; and State Committee member (SCM) Nune Narsimha Reddy alias Ganganna alias Sannu Dada.
The DGP had termed the development as a “decisive setback’ to the Maoist organisation.
A top IPS officer, who attended the meeting told The Hindu that among other things, the issue of naxalite movement and its waning popularity had come for discussion. “We informed the Union Minister that as many as 572 naxalites including 30 top cadres had surrendered before the Telangana police in the last six months,” the officer said but strongly denied that Ganapathi had sent feelers about the impending surrender.
Mr. Revanth Reddy requested Mr. Amit Shah to allocate additional Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to Telangana in line with the State’s growing administrative and security needs. The Chief Minister informed the Union Home Minister that the first cadre review after the formation of Telangana was conducted in 2016, while the next review due in 2021 was delayed and finally carried out in 2025. Even then, only seven additional IPS officers were allocated to the State.
Mr. Revanth Reddy explained that Telangana, like the rest of the country, is facing several modern challenges including cybercrime, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, and other emerging security threats. He also highlighted the increasing administrative demands due to the reorganisation of Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri Police Commissionerates, the proposed Future City Commissionerate, and the rapidly growing population in Hyderabad. In view of these developments, the Chief Minister urged the Union government to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers in the State from the current 83 to 105. He also requested that the third cadre review be conducted in the scheduled year of 2026.
During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed the issue of Maoist surrenders and their rehabilitation. The Chief Minister informed Amit Shah that significant improvements in policing have taken place in Telangana over the past two years. He stated that 591 Maoists have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream of society during this period. He also noted that several senior Maoist leaders have recently chosen to return to normal life, and the State government is providing them compensation and rehabilitation assistance as per the rules. The Chief Minister further requested the Union Home Minister to extend financial support from the Central government for development works in backward regions of the State.
The officials also sought additional resources for the specialised wings like cyber security, Eagle force, narcotics bureau and other crucial verticals for efficient functioning. The meeting also sought funds for ever growing traffic issues in the State.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Additional DGP (Intelligence) Vijay Kumar, IGP (SIB) B. Sumathi and others.
Published – March 04, 2026 10:19 pm IST
