Who was Chalapati? Top maoist leader with ₹1 crore bounty killed in Chhattisgarh

The killing of Ramachandra Reddy Gari Pratap Reddy, alias Chalapati, has caused significant unrest in his native village in Chittoor district. His death occurred during an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh. Chalapati was a key figure in the Maoist movement, serving as the Odisha secretary for the group.

Chalapati was born in Matyam Paipalle village in the Tavanampally mandal of Chittoor district. He completed his postgraduate education in Madanapalle and Tirupati. Initially, he worked in the Sericulture Department. However, his career took a drastic turn when he moved to Visakhapatnam.

There, he made ties with Maoist factions, eventually rising to prominence within the movement. Known for his ability to evade the authorities, he had successfully escaped capture in a previous encounter in the Visakha Agency area. The government had placed a ₹1 crore reward on Chalapati’s head, emphasizing his significance as a target.

Reports suggest that his family distanced themselves from him due to his growing involvement with the Maoists. His elder brother, Chandrasekhar Reddy, still works in the Sericulture department in Madanapalle, now part of Annamayya district.

Locals have remarked that Chalapati’s family left their ancestral home years ago. They cited the increasing tensions related to his activities as the primary reason. His death has struck a blow to the Maoist movement in the agency areas, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics of the region.

The encounter and Chalapati’s death have raised numerous questions. While the government views his demise as a victory against the Maoist insurgency, his supporters may see it as the loss of a leader who had shaped the movement in significant ways. It remains to be seen how his death will affect the ongoing conflict in Chhattisgarh and surrounding regions.