The last senior Maoist commander in Bastar, Paparao, is expected to surrender on Tuesday amid intense pressure from authorities. He has reached out to a local journalist to facilitate the process.
Paparao, who carries a reward of ₹25 lakh, serves as a State Zonal Committee Member (SZCM) and in-charge of the West Bastar division. He recently established contact with a local journalist and sought assistance in initiating surrender negotiations with authorities.
According to police and intelligence sources, Paparao is currently operating in the Indravati National Park area along the Chhattisgarh–Maharashtra border. He is believed to be moving with a much smaller group of at least five cadres, down from around 30–35 armed cadres.
Recent encounters have further isolated Paparao, with six Maoists killed in operations in Bijapur district over the weekend. Officials said security forces have stepped up combing and area domination operations across the Indravati–Abujhmad belt to dismantle the residual Maoist leadership in the region.
