Gadchiroli, Feb. 19 -- Former CPI (Maoist) leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu Bhupathi on Thursday appealed to Maoist cadres still operating in the jungles to lay down arms and surrender.

He stated that the time has come for those involved in armed struggle to return to the mainstream and work among the people.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with ANI on Thursday, Sonu, who surrendered on October 15, 2025, along with 60 People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) fighters, said changing ground realities have made continued armed struggle impractical and urged remaining cadres to follow the same path.

In a landmark development last year, the 69-year-old former PLGA central military commission chief, carrying a bounty of Rs 60 la...