Bhagya Rupi’s death marks collapse of Maoist presence in Bastar

By Harsh Thakor* 

Maoist leader Bhagya, known as Rupi, was killed on April 13 in Chote Betiya, Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. Police reported she refused to surrender and was shot during the encounter. Her death marked the end of the last surviving Maoist cadre from the Telugu states, highlighting the decline of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Bastar, where nearly 400 cadres surrendered in the first four months of 2026. She was also the widow of Vijay Reddy, a Maoist commander killed in August 2025.

Bhagya joined the guerrilla force in 2002, emerging from Siddipet district, a hub of revolutionary activity. Despite limited education and physical challenges due to polio, she adapted to guerrilla life, learning local languages and customs. By 2013, she had risen to become an Area Committee member in North Bastar, taking charge of the Revolutionary Adivasi Women’s Association and later leading efforts in Partapur. Alongside Vijay, she played a central role in sustaining the movement despite intensified police operations.

She was active in mass mobilization, notably during the indefinite praja dharna in Vechghat from 2022 to 2025, demanding implementation of PESA under the slogan “Jal-Jangal-Zameen.” The campaign drew solidarity from intellectuals, students, and tribal communities nationwide. Her leadership reflected the blend of armed resistance and grassroots activism.

By 2024, police offensives escalated, leading to mass casualties among Maoist ranks. While many surrendered, Bhagya remained defiant. Her final days were marked by betrayal when a police informer revealed her location, leading to her arrest and killing. Her life is remembered as one of persistence and sacrifice, symbolizing revolutionary resilience even as the movement weakened.

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*Freelance journalist