In a significant development, Naxal Commander Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu, a senior CPI (Maoist) leader and its Politburo member, along with 60 other Naxalites, surrendered in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Gadchiroli Police headquarters.

On Tuesday, Rao laid down weapons along with 60 Maoist cadres in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, signalling a potential move towards peace with the Centre.

In a statement, Rao requested a month’s time to deliberate before initiating formal peace talks and urged the government to suspend armed operations against party cadres in the interim.

“I am laying down the weapons and will become a part of movements for providing relief for the oppressed in India. Since the last week of March 2025, our party has been engaged

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