Raipur, March 25: In a significant development just a week before the government’s deadline to declare Bastar free of Naxal influence, the last major Naxal cadre, known as Papa Rao alias Mangu, has surrendered along with his armed group.
Papa Rao, a 56-year-old senior member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), arrived at the Kutar police station in Bijapur district carrying an AK-47 and other weapons. He was accompanied by 17 associates, including 10 men and 8 women, who were later transported to Jagdalpur by bus.
Security forces recovered eight AK-47 rifles, one SLR, and one INSAS rifle from the group. A reward of 2.5 million rupees had been announced for his capture.
Papa Rao, who led the West Bastar Division Committee and was a member of the South Sub-Zonal Bureau, became the most wanted Naxal after the death of Madvi Hidma, the former commander of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1. He was well-acquainted with the forests, rivers, and terrain of Bastar, having evaded police operations multiple times.
Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma confirmed this event during a program in Kabirdham. He stated, “With Papa Rao’s surrender, there are now no active members left in the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee.”
Sharma also mentioned that he had spoken to Papa Rao on the phone just before his surrender. The minister noted that only two major Naxal leaders, Mishir Besra and Ganapati, remain active outside the state, managing the remnants of the organization.
Officials described this surrender as a near-total dismantling of the Naxal organization’s West Bastar Divisional Committee. Following the surrenders of Battalion No. 1 commander Deva and the deaths of 17 prominent leaders in encounters last year, including Madvi Hidma, General Secretary Basavaraju, and Ganesh Uike, Papa Rao was the last frontline fighter remaining.
In recent months, hundreds of other cadres, including Bhupati, Rupesh, and Ramdhar, have also laid down their arms. The Chhattisgarh government has hailed Papa Rao’s surrender as the complete eradication of armed Naxalism from Bastar.
However, the state Congress party has expressed concerns. Party president Deepak Baij has called for clarification from the government, warning that after the deadline, tribal communities may face increased oppression, and Bastar’s natural resources could be handed over to private companies.
He urged the administration to ensure that no innocent tribal individuals are falsely labeled as Naxals and arrested.
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S.C.H.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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