Former Maoist Found Dead in Chhattisgarh Rehabilitation Centre

Former Maoist Narsu Boddu, 26, was found dead in a bathroom at a government rehabilitation centre in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday morning, police said. The death was reported at around 7 a.m. by fellow surrendered inmates, and the body was sent for post‑mortem, according to Superintendent of Police Umesh Prasad Gupta. Boddu had surrendered in February 2024 after serving as a section deputy commander in the Maoist outfit. He was a week away from completing a government‑run vocational training programme in agriculture, part of an initiative to help surrendered cadres become financially self‑reliant. No suicide note was discovered, and the SP said there was no record of illness or conflict with other inmates. Forensic teams have examined the scene and the investigation continues. Boddu leaves behind a wife, two children and his father; his mother and brother had previously died by suicide. The centre where he was lodged is one of several in the Bastar region that have been operating since July 23, 2026, following a series of surrender waves that began in early 2025. The government had set a deadline of March 31, 2026, for eradicating Maoism, after which Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the country was free from Maoist insurgency. Helplines for those experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts have been listed by authorities.

Context

Rehabilitation centres aim to transition former insurgents into civilian life through training and counselling. Such facilities have faced scrutiny after incidents like this, highlighting the need for robust mental‑health support for former combatants.