Bade Chokka Rao, alias Damodar, the secretary of the CPI (Maoist) Telangana State Committee, was allegedly killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of Bijapur district on Thursday, January 16.
The Maoist party issued a statement on January 18 confirming that Damodar, along with 18 other cadres, died during an exchange of fire, according to The Hindu.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Suderaj P. described the development as a major setback for the Maoists in the region. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he stated, “Naxals have accepted the loss of 18 cadres, including Telangana State Committee cadre [head] Damodar. It is a big setback in one of their important stronghold areas.”
Damodar, aged 55, hailed from Kalvapalli village in Sammakka Sarakka Tadvai Mandal of Mulugu district in Telangana. He had been a prominent figure in the Maoist movement for over three decades and was listed among the most-wanted individuals in both Telangana and Chhattisgarh. Authorities had placed a Rs 50 lakh bounty on his head.
After the death of former Telangana State secretary Haribhushan due to COVID-19 in 2021, the Maoist Central Committee appointed Damodar as the State secretary. His leadership played a critical role in maintaining