Maoist PLGA Battalion Severely Weakened to Mere 20 Cadres
The once powerful People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of the CPI (Maoist) movement in central India, has been dramatically reduced to a small group of approximately 20 cadres operating along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. This significant decline follows a series of killings, surrenders, and relentless security operations that have crippled the guerrilla force.
Current Status and Recent Setbacks
According to police sources, the remaining PLGA contingent is now active in the Karreguttalu hills, led by Sodi Keshalu alias Malla, the deputy commander of the PLGA battalion. In recent weeks, the formation has suffered major blows:
- Commander Hidma was killed in action.
- Badise Sukka alias Deva surrendered to authorities.
- Two additional commanders along with several cadres also laid down their arms.
A top source in Telangana police stated, "There are only around 20 PLGA cadres left now on Karreguttalu led by Keshalu. They are stubborn and not surrendering. If CRPF or Chhattisgarh District Reserve Guard (DRG) puts pressure from the Chhattisgarh side, then they may yield."
Leadership and Movements
Following the surrender of Deva, Keshalu assumed command of the dwindling force. He previously served as commander of the 1st company during the Dharmaram camp attack in January 2024. As of early this year, he is reported to be moving in the Karreguttalu hills with 20 to 30 cadres and is armed with an AK-47. Police sources noted that he earlier escaped an encounter at Annaram in November 2025.
Formation and Historical Context
Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy explained that the PLGA did not have a specific individual founder. It was established by CPI (ML) People's War on December 2, 2000, when Muppalla Laskhmana Rao alias Ganapathi was heading the organization.
"The PLGA was founded to commemorate the first death anniversary of the encounter deaths of their central committee members Nalla Adi Reddy, Yerramreddy Santosh Reddy and Sheelam Naresh in Koyyur of erstwhile Karimnagar district," the DGP said.
After the 2004 merger of CPI (ML) People's War and Maoist Communist Centre, the People's Guerrilla Army was renamed as the PLGA. Initially operating through smaller guerrilla companies, the Maoist central committee later decided to create larger military formations by merging companies into battalions.
The first PLGA battalion was formed in 2009 with around 200 cadres, by merging company 3 commanded by Hidma and company 8 under Singanna, along with other PLGA cadres. Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraj, then central military commission in-charge, along with Devuji and Ramanna, played a key role in forming the battalion.
Bastar Stronghold and Operations
According to police records, the battalion primarily operated in south Bastar and parts of west Bastar, moving through dense forest belts. Over the years, it was involved in several ambushes and attacks on security forces, including incidents at:
- Singanmadugu
- Thadimetla
- Gattam
- Kistaram
- Kasalpad
- Pidmel
- Kothacheruvu
- Burkapal
- Palodi
- Minpa
- Tekulagudem
These attacks led to casualties among security personnel and seizure of weapons and ammunition. The formation also maintained specialised units, including a technical wing for manufacturing weapons and explosives, communication teams using VHF and UHF radio systems, intelligence units tracking the movement of security forces, and training teams providing military instruction to cadres.
The dramatic reduction of the PLGA from a formidable force of 200 cadres to just 20 highlights the effectiveness of sustained security operations and the changing dynamics of left-wing extremism in the region.
