India, Oct. 16 -- The surrender of senior Naxalite Bhupathi and 60 other cadres is the "beginning of the end of the Naxal movement" in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. In the coming days, the entire "red corridor" in Chhattisgarh, Telangana will be free of Naxalism, Fadnavis said, adding he was proud that Gadchiroli in Maharashtra was leading the fight against the outlawed CPI (Maoist). The CM was addressing a gathering after senior Naxalite Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi surrendered.
Bhupathi carried a bounty of Rs 6 crore, an official said.
The Naxalites surrendered along with their 54 weapons, which include seven AK-47s and nine INSAS rifles, the official said.
Bhupathi alias Sonu was considered...