In a noteworthy development amidst India’s ongoing campaign against Naxalism, Thippiri Tirupati, known as Devji, has surrendered to the Telangana police. This surrender of the Maoist leader, who has a reward of 1 crore rupees on his head, is considered a major victory for security agencies as they seek to curb the influence of Naxalite movements before a critical deadline in March 2026. Devji was regarded as a key strategist within the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and his decision to surrender is seen as a significant blow to the organization.

At 62 years old, Devji hails from the Jagityal district of Telangana and had taken over leadership roles within the party after the death of the former General Secretary, Nambala Keshav Rao (also known as Basavaraju) in May 2025. Alongside his surrender, another Maoist leader, Malla Raji Reddy, has also reportedly agreed to surrender. The police intend to formally showcase the surrenders of Devji and other Naxal leaders in the coming days, as they are currently in the custody of the Telangana police.

Devji's involvement in the formation of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army highlights his long-standing influence in the region’s Maoist activities. He eventually became a prominent member of the Central Committee of CPI (Maoist) and served on its Political Bureau. His role as the head of the Central Military Commission underscores his pivotal position within the organization, and his surrender could potentially shift the dynamics of Naxalite operations in the region, offering security forces a critical opportunity to dismantle the group’s structure in Telangana and adjoining areas.