CPI-Maoists should give up their fight and surrender: Shinde

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Friday welcomed the surrender of Communist Party of India-Maoist spokesperson Gumudavelli Venkatakrishna Prasad, alias Gudsa Usendi, saying other Maoist leaders should also follow his example.

Addressing a press conference, Shinde said, "Gumudavelli Venkatakrishna Prasad, alias Gudsa Usendi, an important leader of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI), has surrendered before Andhra Pradesh Police. I welcome his decision to surrender, and also would like to appeal to other senior cadres to follow this example."

"The CPI (Maoist) should give up their arms struggle and join the mainstream. All those who have surrendered will be treated well as per the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy of the government," he added.

Usendi ended nearly three decades of warfare and laid down arms before police in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, citing ill health as the main reason for surrender. He fought as a rebel for nearly three decades in Maoists hotbed, of Chhattisgarh.

Usendi, who was the official spokesperson of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), surrendered before the Andhra Pradesh Police with his wife Santoshi Markam, who is also a Maoist.

Better incentives and rehabilitation policy offered to the surrendered insurgents lured the rebel to surrender before the Andhra Pradesh police. While addressing a news conference in Hyderabad, the police assured of reward money to the leader.