Paparao formally surrenders, now 400 security camps in Bastar to transform into hospitals, schools, says home min Vijay Sharma

RAIPUR: "Bastar region has largely emerged from the grip of decades of 'red terror' and state govt now plans to transform nearly 400 security camps, the pivot of anti-Naxal fight till now, into public infrastructure like schools, hospitals and collection centres minor forest produce," declared Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister and home minister Vijay Sharma on Wednesday.

"Today, Bastar and the entire Chhattisgarh are out of the clutches of red terror. Bastar is ready to move ahead swiftly on the path of development," Sharma said.Home minister said, nearly 96% of Bastar’s geographical area is now free from Maoist influence, and that only 30 to 40 cadres remain in remote pockets of north and south Bastar, who are also expected to surrender.The announcement came when Maoist Paparao, a Dandakaranya special zonal committee (DKSZC) commander carrying a Rs 25 lakh bounty, laid down along with 17 other cadres under state's rehabilitation initiative, at a high-profile surrender programme in Jagdalpur.

The surrender of senior Maoist strategist Papa Rao—once among the most elusive and influential figures in Bastar’s insurgency will serve as a decisive shift on the ground, both operationally and psychologically, as Chhattisgarh pushes towards its March 31 deadline to end Left-Wing Extremism.HM Sharma said districts such as Kabirdham, Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, Rajnandgaon, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Dhamtari, Gariyaband and Mahasamund, along with Bastar’s seven districts, are now free from Maoist influence.

He credited security forces, central agencies, local representatives, tribal leaders and the media for their role in restoring peace. Technical support from agencies such as ISRO, NTRO, ITBP and NSG also played a key role, he said.Sharma also cautioned that vigilance must continue, noting that some senior Maoist leaders, including Ganapathy and Misir Besra, remain untraced. Bisra's last location was between Jharkhand and Odisha.Sharma reiterated that Bastar’s “jal, jungle, zameen” belong to its people, stating that local communities will play a key role in protecting and developing these resources as the region moves towards peace and growth.Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai termed Paparao’s surrender a significant step towards eliminating Naxalism, in line with the vision of PM Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah.Police records show 48 cases registered against him in Bijapur, with 41 permanent warrants pending, along with additional cases in Sukma (24) and Dantewada (7).

He was allegedly involved in several major incidents, including the 2010 Tadmetla ambush in which 76 security personnel were killed, the 2012 abduction of the Sukma collector, and multiple attacks on security forces.Inspector general of police, Bastar range, P Sundarraj said 18 cadres, including seven women, carrying a collective reward of Rs 87 lakh, surrendered along with weapons and cash. Security forces recovered 18 weapons, including AK-47 rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, a 9mm pistol and a BGL launcher, along with Rs 12 lakh in cash.Since Jan 2024, a total of 2,756 Maoists have surrendered across Bastar division’s seven districts, police said.Psychological break in Maoist ranks after Paparao's surrender Officials tracking the insurgency said Papa Rao’s exit could trigger a ripple effect among lower-rung cadres still hiding in the forests of Sukma and Bijapur and it could escalate surrenders of the remaining cadres ahead of Mar 31 and even post that, as the outfit goes leaderless.“This could turn into a cascade. The fear of being left alone in a collapsing structure is real,” an official added.“For years, commanders like him were the ideological anchors. If someone at that level surrenders, it breaks the last layer of confidence among the cadres,” a senior police officer said. “Those still inside are already operating in isolation or simply lying low. Now, many may see no ray of hope.”Papa Rao’s surrender is also being seen as a major intelligence gain.

As a senior functionary who helped build and sustain Maoist networks across south Bastar for nearly two decades, he is believed to have deep insights into the organisation’s finances, urban network, arms supply routes and internal hierarchy.With Papa Rao out, and other commanders like Hidma dead and Barse Deva no longer active, the Maoist leadership structure in Bastar has thinned and only 30–40 armed cadres remain scattered in remote northern and southern pockets of the state.Sodhi Kesha, a Rs 25 lakh reward Maoist from Sukma, is now seen as the last major battalion-level face. But even he is believed to be constantly shifting base, with agencies suspecting possible movement towards Telangana.