Hyderabad, Jan. 6 -- Former commander of CPI (Maoist) Badse Sukka, alias Deva, whose surrender to Telangana Police last week caused a massive blow to the outlawed organization, told ANI on Tuesday that he made decision to give up arms after Telangana Police caught him during checking and brought him to the state capital.

Deva, who carried a reward of Rs 75 lakh and was battalion commander of outlawed People's Liberation Guerrilla Army Battalion (PLGA) of CPI (Maoist), had surrendered on January 3. He was considered the second most important tribal leader in CPI (Maoist). Nineteen more CPI (Maoist) cadre had surrendered to Telangana Police.

Deva is contemporary of Madvi Hidma, the top CPI (Maoist) leader who was killed in an encounter in...