India, Oct. 15 -- In a big blow to naxalite movement in the country, Malloujula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi alias Sonu, a prominent naxalite leader and senior politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) laid down arms, along with 60 Maoist cadres in Gadchiroli district in eastern Maharashtra on Monday night.
Confirming the development, informed official sources based in Gadchiroli said on Tuesday that Bhupathi - as the influential member of the banned CPI (Maoist) was known in the naxalite circles - surrendered before the Gadchiroli police at around 10 pm on Monday.
Bhupathi, who was carrying a bounty of approximate Rs 6 crore announced by various States, gave himself up before the police along with 60 fellow Maoists - all ...