In a historic breakthrough for Maharashtra’s fight against left-wing extremism, Naxal Commander Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupati alias Sonu alias Abhay surrendered before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Gadchiroli Police Headquarters.

Along with Bhupati, nearly 60 Naxalites laid down their arms, marking one of the largest surrenders in the state’s history. Bhupati had placed a precondition that he would surrender only in the presence of the Chief Minister.

Bhupati, born in Peddapalli district of Telangana, is not an ordinary Naxalite. A postgraduate in commerce and belonging to a Brahmin family, he was known as one of the most educated figures in the Maoist movement. His elder brother, Kishenji, was a senior Maoist leader once tipped to become the General Secretary of CPI (M

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