SIB Allows Family to Meet Maoist Leader Devaiah in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Tippiri Tirupati alias Devaiah, who was drawn to revolutionary ideology at a young age and gave up his studies, spent decades underground holding a gun. He rose to the rank of Central Committee secretary in the Maoist party and stayed away from his native village and family for 40 years.
Three days after he surrendered and left the movement, the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) on Wednesday allowed his relatives to meet him.
He spent about four hours at the SIB office in Hyderabad with family members and friends, recalling old memories, sources said.
His younger brother Gangadhar, daughter Suma, sister and sisters-in-law turned emotional on seeing him return to public life. In a symbolic gesture, Gangadhar presented a pen to his brother, who had once given up the pen for the gun.
When relatives enquired about his health, Tirupati told them he was doing well. He reportedly recognised each family member by name.
‘Saw letters, videos seeking surrender’
Devaiah told relatives that he had seen the letters and videos sent by his niece Suma urging him to surrender.
He asked about the condition of his native Korutla and is learnt to have said that he may visit the town in about a month.
Police did not allow relatives to carry mobile phones into the meeting, sources added.
