The surrender of senior CPI (Maoist) leader, Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu alias Bhupati (70), along with 60 cadres in Gadchiroli marks one of the biggest blows to the banned outfit in recent years. The group includes one Polit Buro member, two zonal committee members, ten divisional committee members, and other members of various dalams.

Gadchiroli police sources confirmed they handed over 54 weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles. Sonu, a resident of Peddapalli (Telangana), a BCom graduate and ITI professional, was a central committee member. He was active in Maad area. He was also known by the names Sonudada alias Vivek alias Laxmirajan alias Lachhanna alias Abhay.

The cadres surrendered early Tuesday near Fodewada in Bhamragad taluka, close to the Chhattisgarh border. Accordi

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