Chhattisgarh Deputy CM confirms only 30-40 Maoists remain in Bastar after surrenders

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister reported that Maoist leader Papa Rao and 17 others have surrendered in Bastar, where collectively ₹87 lakh bounty existed on them. This marks a significant reduction in Maoist presence, now estimated at only 30 to 40 operatives left in the region. Continued monitoring will reveal if this decline leads to lasting security improvements or if insurgent activity resurges.