After evading police for several years and living in the forests, several surrendered Maoist leaders are now being hounded by their former comrades. And those who are caught off guard are being shot ruthlessly. At least 40 Maoists including some

senior leaders have now gone underground fearing for their lives.

It all began with the killing of Ramlal, a former ‘Dalam’ Commander of the former CPI-ML’s Pratighatana group, who surrendered in 2006. Ramlal had retired to Yatram village in Karimnagar district, but he was tracked down and shot dead by Maoists on October 12.

The Maoists also wanted to eliminate Malla Rajiv Reddy, a former member of the Central Working Committee of the CPI(Maoist). Reddy was arrested from Kerala in November 2007. He was released on bail on October 6 this year, but he went underground.

“He feared that he would be targeted because he may have given lot of information to police during custody. Reddy has not yet rejoined the Maoists so we assume he has gone underground fearing for his safety,” an official said.

Others like CPI(Maoist) state committee secretary ‘Sambasivudu’ — his real name is K Ilaiaya — have also gone underground. Sambasivudu surrendered on February 16 this year following differences with his party leaders over excessive violence. Those on the run include former Central Committee Member Lanka Papi Reddy, Nallamala Regional Committee member K Rajiya, former Andhra and Maharashtra state committee member K Venkateshwarlu, Chhattisgarh area deputy commander M Sambaiah and Warangal Mahadevpur Dalam member Ramesh.

... contd.