Hyderabad, March 7 -- Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that over 700 Naxalites have surrendered in the state since 2024, as he urged Maoist cadres to abandon violence and participate in the democratic process.

Speaking in Hyderabad during a surrender programme where 130 Maoists laid down arms, Reddy said the government believes change can be achieved through democratic means rather than violence.

"After 2024, we made at least 700 Naxalites surrender. They also surrendered 250 weapons. Today, 130 people surrendered with 124 weapons, including AK47s, SLRs, and other weapons. They also handed over 7,000 bullets to the police department during their surrender today," the Chief Minister said.

Appealing to extremists to give up ...