Profile of the Martyrs of the Tupakullaguddam Encounter

Com. Swarna (Rajeshwari) belonged to a poor beedi-worker’s family in a village near the Warangal - Karimnagar border. In Childhood she had spent two years in Mumbai, where her parents had gone in search of work. Even at a young age she was rolling 3000 bidis per day. Her village is a strong base of the party, and she is the 10th martyr from that village in 12 years.

She was recruited to the party in 1989, and became literate only after joining it. In 1991 she volunteered to join the first squad that was started in the forest region of Khammam. This was a new area, no mass-base, strong revisionist influence and a key centre of the other armed M-L groups. It was a highly risky task and required enormous effort to win the confidence of the masses. In those days physical attacks came not only from the police but also the armed M-L groups. All propagated (and even threatened) the villagers not to give food to the PW. In those days it was even difficult to get food once a day. In spite of all these problems Com. Swarna steadfastly continued in this area and became a popular leader in the Mangur area. She has faced many police attacks, and has boldly retaliated firing back. For nearly a decade she continued in the region, playing an important role in building the movement here. Though many who taught her politics surrendered, she continued steadfastly, inspite of health problems.

In the year 2000 she was shifted to platoon one and became its section commander. She died a heroic death resisting the enemy.

Com. Prabhakar (Jawaharlal) comes from a well-off family in the Jangham area of Warangal district. His father was a leader of a company in the Telengana armed struggle of 1948-51. The father had spent 5 years in jail and had been given the death sentence. Though the party betrayed the struggle, he continued his sympathy for revolutionary politics and willingly sent his son, Prabhakar, into the PW.

Prabhakar, who had got 2 ITI qualifications and had been working in a factory for a year in Hyderabad, threw up his job to become a full-timer in 1991. He was influenced by his family environment and also the earlier Warangal DC secretary, Balanna, whose house was near his. From his youth, he was a sensitive person and always opposed injustice and against selfishness.

After a short period as town organiser, he joined the first Kinnerra squad in Khammam district. There he countered the vicious attacks of the CPI (ML) New Democracy, and built the Party amongst the masses. In those days the ND and other revisionists, not only prevented the people from giving food to the PW, but also forced the shops not to sell goods to the PW. Prabhakar put in enormous effort to survive in this alien atmosphere. In this region there were many armed clashes with the police. In each battle he was in the forefront displaying enormous daring and drive. Soon, in Kinnerra his name created panic and fear amongst the police forces. When the dalam was attacked he would alone fire allowing others to retreat.

In the Karka-guddam raid, when there was some hesitation during the attack, Prabhakar and Mahinder (recently martyred in DK) dashed forward, killing the sentry and laying seize to the police station. He also played a main role in seizing the weaponry.

Prabhakar’s presence in any battle gave enormous courage to other comrades. His name will live on in the annals of the PGA as one of its heroic warriors.

Com. Devendra (Bangaru Bhaskar) was from a well-off tribal family from the Tadvai Mandal town in the Eturuagaram region. Though he never knew hard work in his childhood, when he worked in RSU in 1994-95 he was a tireless worker and played an important role in recruiting a large number of RSU members into the Party. He joined the dalam in 1996. But, his development was so swift, that within six months he was transferred to the platoon. Here too he developed politically and militarily to become section commander of PL1.

In any battle he was fearless and never considered retreat. He would always retreat only after all others had safely retreated. During attacks he was always in the forefront, and would never retreat — often a comrade would have to be sent to pull him back. His selfless fighting spirit was an example for all PGA fighters.

Besides, Devendra was also the platoon doctor. Comrades, after experiencing his concern would want no other, as he would attend to patients with enormous concern at any time of the day or night. His selflessness in battle was also seen in this sphere of medical care. In fact, he came to be known as the Norman Bethune of the Platoon.......and soon he became popular as ‘Doctor’ not ‘Devendra’.

In fact, his sense of dedication and thoroughness was to be seen even in the smallest task he undertook. Though he has been snatched away in the prime of his life his memory will live on as a model communist. Many have much to learn from this dedicated communist guerrilla. His martyrdom will not go waste if one learns from and emulates his communist spirit of self-sacrifice, hard-work and full dedication to the task at hand.

Com. Benjamin (Sambaiah), from a dalit background, was educated till the intermediate. He was briefly with another M-L group, before joining the PW in 1996. He initially worked in the Kinnera and Pandava squad areas of Khammam district. He never wasted time, and always studied. He developed his body for war. In fact at a military camp completed a few days earlier he came first in the drill, winning a Mao badge.

Though soft, unassuming and with child-like affection for comrades, Benjamin was a terror for the police. So much was their anger, that on seeing his dead body, they are said to have kicked it again and again. Like Devendra and Prabhakar, he did not know fear and was in the forefront of all firings. In Kinnera area he killed the notorious Intelligence Officer, K.K. Singh, right in front of the police station. In the Etumagaram raid on the police station he drove the second tractor right to the police station amidst heavy firing, successfully blasted it, and walked away. He displayed similar courage at the Tupakullaguggam camp where his martyrdom helped save the rest of the camp.

He leaves behind wife, Manjula, whose continuous child-like playfulness has been washed away by the sadness of the event. Of many years standing, she too, like all other comrades, will turn her tears into anger, emulate the fighting and selfless spirit of Benjamin, and continue to battle for a just new order.

Com. Rajita (Suguna) is one of the few recruits from the Khammam area. It is said that her nature was as sweet as her name. In her village, Singarama, she was like a ray of light from the moon. Though young, the entire village listened to her. Her impact was such, that if the squad went to the village, the entire population would come out to feed it. Recruited in 1996, it was she who introduced the Party in an entire area.

She joined the party at a time when there was intense repression taking up serious responsibilities. Though seriously ill, having to have an operation, she returned to squad life and joined the platoon in 1999.

She had a lot of courage and respect amongst the people. She had the nature to be critical, and yet unite with others. Though originally illiterate, she picked up not only Telugu but also some English, to take up the task of a doctor in the platoon.

Her excellent qualities are an example for all comrades to emulate. That alone can be the best homage, for this first woman martyr of Khammam district.

Com. Anjanna (Mallanna) belongs to one of the strongest PW villages of Karimnagar district — Kokallaguddur. This village, in the Peddapalli area has produced many members and even leaders of the party. Com. Anjanna was in touch with the party since his childhood. In 1996 he became a member of the first platoon. He has been in many attacks and had developed a military sharpness. He was now section deputy of PL3.

Com. Gajender was from Singampalli area of Karimnagar district. His father has been an active supporter of the Party. During the acute repression of 1985 he secretly assisted the Party in many a way. Later, his son, Gajender joined the Party.

Com. Indra, was snatched away, even before she could really participate in the revolution.

A fortnight earlier section commander, com. Saranna, was martyred in an ambush in the Madhevpur area, about 3 to 4 hours from the camp site. Having gained information that meetings were on in this region the police had stepped up their combing operations. A small batch of 5 comrades was ambushed on Feb 26. Com. Saranna was injured, and went and hid in a haystack. The police traced him from the blood marks. He was then brutally tortured for information, and shot dead in cold blood.

Saranna, a tribal from Kantapalli village of Etuunagaram mandal, was active in the village since 1993 and joined the local squad in 1995. In 1997 he was transferred to PL1 and since a year has been section commander of PL15. He also influenced his younger sister, Sammakka who got recruited in 1997 and is at present a member of PL1. She cried for 3 days inconsolably on getting the news. For, he had an ideal relationship with his sister — was not just a brother but a close friend.

Saranna, in fact, had excellent communist values — he was hard-working and selfless. There was no task that he would not take up, however difficult or dangerous. He was always jovial, with a continuous smile on his face. He had no ego what-so-ever, and would happily accept a fault before all — not just superficially, but with a sincere effort to change. He was always a pleasure to be with — emanating warmth and bondage.

He was from a middle-peasant background and had studied till the 5th standard. A month earlier he had a miraculous escape, when the bullock-cart they were accompanying was ambushed. Taking cover behind the cart and firing back, they made a successful escape. He has been snatched away from his comrades at the young age of 25.