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On December 2, the Maoist movement marks the 25th anniversary of the deaths of three central committee members of the erstwhile CPI(ML) People’s War Group: Nalla Adi Reddy (Shyam), Y. Santosh Reddy (Murali), and Seelam Naresh (Mahesh). The three leaders were reportedly apprehended in Bangalore, taken to Hyderabad, and killed, with their bodies found in the Karimnagar Forest.
These killings are seen as a significant event in the history of the People’s War Group, which later evolved into the CPI-Maoist. The formation of the People’s Liberation Army in December 2000 is often linked to this incident, marking a pivotal moment in the group’s decades-long struggle in Telangana.
Shyam, Murali, and Mahesh were prominent leaders within the People’s War Group. Each played a key role in shaping the organization’s political and military strategies.
Nalla Adi Reddy (Shyam) joined the movement in the 1970s, went underground during the Emergency, and was imprisoned in 1986. Despite enduring torture, he continued to lead and guide cadres.
Seelam Naresh (Mahesh) was an active student leader in the late 1970s and served as a full-time organizer in Hyderabad. Known for his intellectual rigor, he focused on theoretical and practical aspects of the movement.
Y. Santosh Reddy (Murali), the youngest, joined in the early 1980s and was deeply involved in the movement in North Telangana. He was noted for his organizational skills and rapport with the masses.
The police claimed the three leaders were killed in an encounter in Karimnagar Forest. However, evidence suggests they were arrested, tortured, and executed. Reports of torture marks and inconsistencies in the police narrative have been raised by human rights groups and sections of the media.
Journalists who investigated the incident reported that the leaders were apprehended from a house in Bangalore and later transported. Witness accounts described armed men taking the leaders away under coercion.
The incident provoked widespread protests, particularly in Andhra Pradesh. The People’s War Group responded with retaliatory actions, including the assassination of Andhra Pradesh Home Minister A. Madhava Reddy in 2000.
Over 150 protest actions were recorded, with the group targeting individuals and institutions associated with state operations. In one instance, unintended civilian casualties led to a public apology from the group.
While the People’s War Group was able to sustain armed resistance, internal reviews acknowledged shortcomings in mobilizing broader public support. A circular issued by the group criticized its own approach, noting that military actions often involved only cadre and failed to adequately engage the wider population.
The group also reflected on the need to align military operations more closely with the state of the agrarian and class struggles in the areas where they operated.
The deaths of Shyam, Murali, and Mahesh remain a significant moment in the history of leftist movements in India. Their contributions and the circumstances of their deaths continue to be a subject of study and debate, reflecting broader tensions between state security operations and revolutionary movements.
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* Freelance journalist
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