Telangana: Senior Maoist Leader Sujatha Surrenders After 43 Years in Hiding

Swift Summary

• Pothula Padmavathi (Kalpana), a senior leader of the banned CPI (Maoist) surrendered to Telangana DGP Jitender on September 13, 2025.
• She spent 43 years underground and held prominent roles like Central Commitee Member, Secretariat Member, and South sub-Zonal Bureau Secretary.
• Padmavathi was part of Janathana Sarkar, the Maoist’s parallel governance system in the Dandakaranya forest region.
• Born in Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana, she joined the movement in 1982 and worked across various operational fronts over decades.
• Padmavathi was married to top maoist leader Mallojula Koteshwar Rao (Kishanji), killed in 2011 by security forces. The couple had one daughter.
• Rising through ranks since her early involvement with cultural campaigns like Jana Natya Mandali, Padmavathi ultimately held critical organizational positions such as editor of Koya-language magazine ‘Pethuri’ and overseeing operations zones like South Bastar divisions.
• In May 2025, citing health concerns and a desire for family life, she requested permission to leave CPI (Maoist). Rehabilitation benefits have been extended by Telangana government following her surrender; ₹25 lakh rewards were given via demand draft as promised for cadres who surrender peacefully.
• As of this year alone (2025), 404 Maoists have surrendered across Telangana under rehabilitation schemes; these include several high-ranking members such organizations while specifically illustrating at instance inclusion framework native policies supportive tracking collaboration ensuring families mainstreamed likewise-dignified independence livelihoods promoted

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