On November 24, 2024, over 1,500 tribals from various villages in Mulugu district, Telangana, took to the streets in a massive protest following the brutal killings of two local men by Maoists. The victims, Uika Ramesh and Uika Arjun, were murdered on November 21 under the suspicion of being police informants. The protestors marched from Y Junction to the Eturu Nagaram bus stand, expressing outrage over the senseless violence and questioning the Maoists’ motives. They demanded accountability for the killings and urged the Telangana government to take strong action against the perpetrators.

The victims were targeted by Maoists, allegedly affiliated with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), who accused them of collaborating with the state police’s Special Intelligence Bureau. A note left near their bodies accused the men of spying for the authorities, leading to their violent deaths. The incident, which occurred in Penugolu Colony, Wajedu mandal, is seen as part of the Maoists’ ongoing efforts to reassert their presence in Telangana, once a Maoist stronghold.

In response to the killings, local tribal communities voiced their concerns over the increasing violence and the tactics used by the Maoists. They raised the question, “Does the Maoist struggle involve killing innocent tribals?” As protests intensified, tribal leaders and participants called on the Telangana government to address their grievances and protect them from further violence. The rally highlighted the growing tension in the region and the deepening divide between local communities and the Maoist insurgency.