Paparao, Bastar's last active senior Maoist leader, surrenders in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur: Police

Paparao was a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) and was in charge of the South Sub Zonal Bureau

Updated on: Mar 25, 2026, 08:28:12 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, RAIPUR

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Senior Maoist leader Paparao, the last active senior commander in the Bastar region, has come forward to surrender along with 17 other cadres in Bijapur district, the Chhattisgarh police said on Tuesday.

Paparao carries a reward of ₹25 lakh on his arrest

Paparao was a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) and was in charge of the South Sub Zonal Bureau. He carries a reward of ₹25 lakh.

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Among the 18 Maoists who surrendered are divisional committee members Prakash Madvi and Anil Tati.

A statement by Bastar police said the 18 Maoists had agreed to shun violence and join the mainstream in a “decisive breakthrough” in the ongoing efforts to eliminate Maoists from the region.

Police said the development was evidence that the goal of a Naxal-free Bastar was steadily becoming a reality, adding that this is the first time in the history of the Maoist movement in the Dandakaranya region that the organisation was left without an effective leadership.

“This marks a decisive success in our sustained efforts to end Left Wing Extremism in the region,” the statement said.

Officials said it was hoped that the remaining cadres, operating in small, scattered groups, would also surrender.

The formal reintegration process of the surrendered cadres will be carried out subsequently.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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