Who was Chalapati? Top Maoist leader gunned down in Chhattisgarh who carried a ₹1 crore reward

Chalapati, a prominent Maoist leader, was killed in an encounter, causing uproar in his native village in Chittoor district.

The killing of Ramachandra Reddy Gari Pratap Reddy, alias Chalapati, has stirred considerable commotion in his native village located in Chittoor district, following his death during an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh. Chalapati was a significant figure in the Maoist movement and served as the Odisha secretary for the group.

Born and raised in Matyam Paipalle village within the Tavanampally mandal of Chittoor district, Chalapati was educated up to the postgraduate level. He attended institutions in Madanapalle and Tirupati, ultimately joining the Sericulture Department as part of his early career. His professional life took a sudden turn during his time in Visakhapatnam, where he established connections with Maoist factions. Over time, he evolved from a local worker into a prominent and influential leader within the Maoist ranks. Achieving notoriety for his ability to evade law enforcement, Chalapati had previously eluded capture during a well-publicized encounter in the Visakha Agency area.

The government eventually had placed a reward of ₹1 crore on his head, underscoring his status as a significant target for security forces. Reports indicate that his family distanced themselves from him following his involvement in the Maoist movement. His elder brother, Chandrasekhar Reddy, continues to serve in the Sericulture department in Madanapalle, which is now part of Annamayya district.

Locals have noted that Chalapati’s family left their ancestral home several years ago, citing the growing tensions associated with his activities. His death is being seen as a substantial blow to the Maoist movement in the agency areas.