Papa Rao, 17 other Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, said that 96% of Bastar region is free of Maoism and only 30 to 40 cadres are surviving in remote areas.

Mr. Sharma made this statement at a program organized after the surrender of Maoist commander Papa Rao.

“In the current scenario, there are no active Maoists left at the DKZSC (Dandakaranya Special District Committee) level in Chhattisgarh; remote areas in the north and south have only a limited number of surviving Naxals – estimated at 30 to 40 – and expectations for their speedy rehabilitation have been expressed,” he said.

Mr. Sharma also said that around 400 security camps set up in the interior areas of Bastar will be phased out and converted into development centres. “In the future, these camps will function as police stations, schools, hospitals and centers for the collection and processing of minor forest products, thus providing better education, health and employment opportunities to local residents and strengthening the basis for sustainable development in the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, Papa Rao and 17 others – receiving a collective reward of ₹ 87 lakh – eschewed violence and joined the mainstream, Bastar Police said in a press note.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) P. Sundarraj said security forces seized 18 weapons, including AK-47 rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, one 9mm pistol, one BGL launcher and 12 lakh cash from the surrendered cadres.

The press note stated that Papa Rao was also known by the pseudonyms Ashok, Sunnam Chandrayya and Mangu, and his association with the Maoist movement dates back to 1997. “South sub-zonal bureau secretary (SZCM) has undertaken important operational roles in Bastar,” the memo said. He was in charge of Pamed-Usur Regional Committee and was heading operations in West Bastar from 2018. The note also stated that the person was carrying a reward of ₹25 lakh and was armed with an AK-47 rifle.