'Surrender letter by Maoists authentic'

NEW DELHI: Security agencies as well as police forces are now convinced that CPI(Maoist) statement to lay down arms - released Monday in name of 'Abhay', the nom de guerre used by its top leader and spokesman Mallojula Venugopal Rao - is authentic, thanks to the statement's audio version put out simultaneously in which the voice has been confirmed by multiple surrendered or arrested Maoists to be that of 'Abhay'.

However, Chhattisgarh Police IG P Sundarraj told TOI Friday that govt's response to the CPI(Maoist) appeal will have to "come from highest-level". The highest authority, in this case, would be Centre, with decision likely to be taken by PM and HM.

"Till such a decision is taken, counter-Naxal forces are continuing their operations against Reds and their hideouts as before. There is no direction to the forces to scale down their onslaught against Maoists in their 'core' areas," said Sundarraj.

A Chhattisgarh Police officer told TOI that the latest peace offer is different from earlier ones - the last came on May 10, 2025. For the first time, a CPI(Maoist) statement carried a mugshot 'Abhay' and made an "unconditional" offer to lay down arms and suspend its "struggle".