In a major breakthrough for security forces, senior Maoist commander Papa Rao alias Mangu has surrendered in Bastar, marking a significant blow to Left-Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh. A key leader of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), Papa Rao had been active for over two decades in the dense Indravati-Abujhmad forest region and was allegedly involved in multiple attacks on Indian security forces. His surrender, along with 17 associates, signals a sharp decline in Maoist influence in Bastar—once considered a stronghold of insurgency. Authorities say the number of active Maoist cadres in the state has drastically reduced, reflecting the success of sustained counter-insurgency operations and surrender policies.