In a significant anti-Left-Wing Extremism operation, security forces late last night killed Chalapati, the senior Maoist leader with several alias names like Ramachandra Reddy and Apparao, along with 19 associates in a forest of Chhattisgarh. The exchange is considered among the major successes in the fight against Maoist activities in the region.
Chalapati, approximately 60 years old and hailing from Madanapalle in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, had a modest educational background, having studied only up to Class 10. Despite this, he ascended to a prominent position within the Maoist ranks, serving as a Central Committee Member (CCM), which is part of the group’s top decision-making body. His high-profile status came with a bounty of ₹1 crore, underscoring his significance as a target for security forces.
Well-versed with the dense forests of Bastar, Chalapati had been accorded security cover with 8-10 personal guards, indicating his position in the Maoist hierarchy. Equipped with sophisticated weapons like AK-47s and SLR rifles, he was considered astute in strategic thinking and reportedly masterminded operations.
Given the increasing number of encounters in Abujhmad, Chalapati had recently shifted his base to the Gariaband-Odisha border, considered a safe zone for Maoist operations. The encounter came after a tip-off that Maoists were hiding in the Kularighat reserve forest, about 5 km from the Odisha border.
There has been heavy gunfire from both sides. The security contingent included DRG, Central Reserve Police Force, CoBRA commandoes from Chhattisgarh, and Special Operation Group from Odisha. Many kinds of weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the site.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the operation a “major success” while elaborating on the resolve of the government against Naxalism. “Another big blow to Naxalism,” he said in an online message. “Our security forces achieved major success in the quest for a Naxal-free Bharat. Due to our resolution of Naxalism-free India, combined efforts by our security forces are at work; that’s why Naxalism is having its last breath today.”
The government has continued to appeal to the Maoists to renounce violence and join the national mainstream. As many as 800 Maoists were apprehended last year and another 802 extremists had laid down arms. Security forces neutralised 219 Maoists, mostly from Bastar range that comprises the districts of Dantewada, Kanker, Bijapur and Sukma.
