Vishakhapatnam, March 29: The CPI (Maoist) is experiencing ups and downs; it is strong in some States and weak in some, which is a normal feature of an armed struggle, said Ponnojula Parameswara Rao, alias Nandu, a top Maoist leader, who surrendered to the police here on Monday.
“The party is facing some problems in the east division (Andhra-Orissa border area). The steps being taken by the Government, surrenders, and drop in strength are some reasons,” he said.
Nandu, one of the Naxalite leaders released from the Visakhapatnam Central Jail in exchange of the IAS officers kidnapped at Gurtedu in 1987, surrendered before Superintendent of Police Vineet Brij Lal. Poor health forced him to leave the party, he said.
The award of Rs. 5 lakh on his head would be given to him and in addition, treatment would be provided to him at a corporate hospital, Mr. Brij Lal said.
A dalam member Besai Jagga Rao alias Jagan, cousin of a Maoist leader Besai Kamaraju alias Ranadev, who was killed in an encounter in 2007, also surrendered.
–Agencies