RAIPUR: In a significant development, two senior Maoist leaders, Rupesh (a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee) and Ranita (head of the Maad Division), are reportedly in communication with high-ranking police and administrative officials in Chhattisgarh to discuss their possible surrender. Officials familiar with the matter confirmed that if their surrender materializes, it would represent a tactical and symbolic victory for security forces, especially considering Rupesh’s two-decade-long presence in the Dandakaranya forests.
This news emerges against the backdrop of a major crisis within the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). A senior politburo member, Venugopal (also known as Sonu), had previously declared the group’s decision to cease armed struggle, a claim that was later contested by the central committee, which accused Venugopal of attempting to split the organization. Following Venugopal’s reiteration of his stance, Telangana state spokesperson Jagan dismissed it as a personal opinion, leading to Venugopal questioning the party’s internal divisions.
Sources indicate that Venugopal, believed to be near the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, is closely monitoring the situation in the Dandakaranya region. An intelligence officer noted that Venugopal’s next course of action may depend on the outcome of Rupesh and Ranita’s potential surrenders, as he is aware of growing discontent among lower-ranking members and is likely to formulate a new strategy.
Chhattisgarh has seen a record 1,040 Maoist cadres surrender this year, and authorities anticipate further surrenders from mid- to senior-level cadres soon. A senior Chhattisgarh police official expressed strong confidence that Rupesh and Ranita’s surrender would proceed, stating it could happen at any time, especially after the internal calls for surrender.
Divisions such as the Maad Division, North Bastar Division, and Gadchiroli Division have reportedly responded positively to Venugopal’s appeal for peace and surrender, issuing statements in support. The Maad Division, in particular, oversees the Abujhmad region, a traditional stronghold of the Maoist movement and a critical hub for their leadership, training, and operational planning.
The Abujhmad region, a vast and largely inaccessible forested area spanning over 4,000 square kilometers across Narayanpur and Bijapur districts, has long been considered the central command for the CPI (Maoist) in central India. While it served as a safe haven for top leadership and logistical operations for decades, recent security operations and infrastructure development have gradually weakened Maoist influence in the area.
Police officials highlighted Rupesh’s role as a senior operational commander in the Dandakaranya zone, with significant influence in the western sub-zone, particularly around Gadchiroli. In recent months, Rupesh has been vocal about advocating for peace and dialogue, reportedly issuing statements calling for a temporary ceasefire and urging the government to initiate talks to create a more conducive environment for discussion.