The man from the red zone was of great interest to the police officials and journalists in Telangana. With a very high reward on his head and wanted in dozens of cases in more than five states, Jampanna alias Jinugu Narasimha Reddy ended his ‘underground’ life a few days ago. The 57-year-old former member of Central Working Committee (CWC) of the banned CPI (Maoist), surrendered with his wife, Rajitha in the presence of DGP of Telangana, Mahender Reddy.
Once a hotbed of Maoist activity, Telangana is also the birthplace of many top Maoist leaders including late Kishenji, Ganapathy, General Secretary of the organisation and others. Over the years, the movement has weakened in the region with lesser number of encounters and attacks on police forces. Jampanna, who hails from the erstwhile Warangal district, joined the outlawed group 33 years ago.
Right from his statements on the present state of Maoists and the need to change their strategy, to his visits to his ancestral villages and mother’s old age home, the media has been highlighting every step in his mainstream life.
“I am not going to talk on politics,” he said responding to a request for an interview. “In ten days time, I will talk to the media and clarify my stand and then you can ask political questions. I will be able explain it better that time.”
When asked about his observation of changes in modern society with advancement of technology, he said. “The society has further deteriorated. It is tough for me to adjust but I will try my best. When I was underground, I used to read newspapers and had some idea that values were going down. In the last few days, I realised that it is worse than I had expected. Everything seems to be tied with money and commercialisation exists at every level in society.”
The former maoist said that he cannot stop himself from speaking out on issues and problems for the rest of his life. “I am outspoken by nature. I will raise my voice whenever I feel injustice has been done.”
For the next few days, he plans to visit his friends and relatives and plan on how to eke out a living.
“I have not decided on what to do next or where to live. I know I can survive.”
Though the Telangana police is all set to give Rs 24 lakhs of reward money and also strike off cases, the other states are yet to follow suit.
“I was promised by the Telangana police that they will ensure that cases against me are dropped in other states. I am yet to get an official confirmation on this,” he said.
According to police sources, Jampanna surrendered because of deteriorating health and also due to ideological differences with the party leadership. He is learnt to have strengthened the party and participated in operations in the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) region and Chattisgarh.
