The Maoist stronghold in neighbouring Telangana appears to be weakening as two senior leaders, Bandi Prakash and P. Prasada Rao, surrendered to state authorities on Tuesday. Both handed themselves over to Telangana Director General of Police Shivadhar Reddy in Hyderabad, signalling a potential decline in the influence of the insurgent group in the state.

Bandi Prakash, also known as Prabhat, had been a member of the Maoist State Committee for 45 years. A native of Mancherial district, he joined the movement while still in school and gradually rose through the ranks to become a key strategist.

Prakash once led operations in the Prabhat area and was a participant in the 2004 peace talks aimed at resolving conflicts with the government.

Pulluri Prasad Rao, known as Chandranna, was associat

See Full Page