Police intensify hunt for top Maoist ‘Rapa’ as mother urges him to surrender

The search for top Maoist leader ‘Rapa’, who once spread terror in Jharkhand, has intensified following the Union Home Minister’s commitment to make India Maoist-free by 2026. Maoist organisations are under pressure as large-scale operations are underway. Several top Naxal leaders have been killed in encounters with the police, while hundreds of them have surrendered.

Police forces are reportedly increasing their efforts on tracing Rapa. Combing operations are underway at multiple locations, with special emphasis on the dense Saranda forest. The CRPF and CoBRA battalions have joined the search, aiming not only to locate Rapa but also to gather intelligence on the organisation he is currently associated with.

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Rapa, a native of Tapkoye village on the Odisha–Jharkhand border, has been on the run for years. Investigators are also probing his suspected involvement in the recent explosion and loot at a mine.

Mother Appeals for His Surrender

Back in his village, Rapa’s mother remains hopeful that her son will surrender. She said, “He has not returned for many years. He was born here but has been away for a long time. He does not even send money. We have no idea where he is. We want him to surrender.”

As operations intensify across the region, security forces continue their coordinated efforts to track down the elusive Maoist leader.