'Followed Basavaraj's call': Maoist Rupesh on laying down arms; rejects 'traitor' tag;

NEW DELHI: Rejecting the CPI(Maoist) cardinal committee's (CC) "traitor" tag thrown astatine him and chap Naxal person Bhupathi alias 'Sonu' successful presumption of their caller surrender, CC subordinate Rupesh has said they laid down arms successful enactment with slain wide caput Basavaraj's last telephone to 'partymen' to cease equipped operations against information forces and research talks with Centre. In a video connection shared with TOI, Rupesh, presently successful Chhattisgarh, tin beryllium heard rejecting CPI(Maoist)'s latest assertion that Basavaraju had a rethink connected his stance favouring a ceasefire "to prevention the party, cadre and movement" - communicated successful aggregate statements since March 2025 - aft Centre had refrained from toning down anti-Naxal operations successful 'core' areas of the Maoists. "It is existent that till B R Dada (Basavaraj) was killed successful May, helium maintained the presumption that conditions are perfect for abandoning equipped conflict and starting talks with govt astir our future," Rupesh said, adding that each PB/CC subordinate had received this message.

"I had personally met Dev ji (current CPI Maoist wide secretary) and different CC subordinate aft that," helium said but added that Dev ji was not successful favour of ceasefire and talks. "Why is it that erstwhile a gathering of Dandakaranya Special Zonal committee was held precocious successful southbound Bastar, the surrender program of northbound sub-zonal bureau, though known to the leaders, was ne'er brought up? Why is it that Basavaraj's last missive to PB/CC members has not been shown to the cadres?" Rupesh asked.

This, a Chhattisgarh constabulary serviceman indicated, suggests that Devji and CC members Sangram and Hidma, on with elder cadres Barse Deve and Pappa Rao, person failed to pass to the little ranks the corporate determination of the CPI(Maoist) - taken nether Basavaraj - to extremity equipped struggle. Rupesh said the missive sent to him by Basavaraj, was shared by him and deliberated upon by cadres of northbound sub-zonal bureau of DKSZC, who passed it down to divisional committee and country committee members.