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Ex-Maoist found dead in Chhattisgarh rehab centre
Confirmed
In Short: A 26-year-old former Maoist died by suicide at a rehabilitation center in Chhattisgarh, days before his release.
A 26-year-old former Maoist, Narsu Boddu alias Naiti, died by suicide at a rehabilitation center in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday, according to police.
Boddu had been staying at the center since July 23, undergoing livelihood training and seeking benefits such as money and agricultural training.
His death has raised questions about the rehabilitation process. Boddu's aunt, also a surrendered cadre, was housed in the same center with 120 others.
A police source revealed that Boddu's mother had committed suicide two years ago, and his brother had died by suicide four to five years ago.
The rehabilitation center's policy does not guarantee automatic acquittal or termination of criminal proceedings for those who surrender.
Advocate Arvind Choudhary stated that families of the accused are not satisfied with the verdict and will appeal to the High Court within 30 days.
The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai, emphasized the importance of introspection and the need to move forward from the clutches of armed Maoism.
What's confirmed
- The court had found them guilty on September 5 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and reserved its order on the quantum of punishment.
- The case relates to the planned attack by armed cadres of the proscribed organisation CPI (Maoist) on the convoy of Congress party’s "Parivartan Yatra" in Jheeram Ghati, Darbha, in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, on May 25, 2013.
- The Chief Minister said this moment is also an opportunity for introspection, especially for those “who engage in politics over the corpses of tribal society and those who provide intellectual and ideological support to terrorism”.
- “The NIA's handling of this investigation to its conclusion also deserves commendation. Today, under the iron resolve and steadfast leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, we have freed the state from the clutches of armed Maoism. Bastar, which has endured Maoist violence for decades, is now moving forward toward a new era of peace, trust, and development," he added.
- NIA's investigation established that armed cadres of the banned terrorist organisation CPI (Maoist), in connivance with local committees, were part of a criminal conspiracy to attack and kill senior Congress leaders and security personnel in the convoy of the "Parivartan Yatra," in pursuance of their tactical counter offensive campaign (TCOC).
- "The barbaric massacre in Jhiram Ghati is an agonising chapter in Chhattisgarh 's history whose bitter memories will continue to torment us for a long time. In this heinous violence, we also lost senior leaders of the state, security personnel, and ordinary citizens. The death sentence handed down by the Jagdalpur NIA Court to the ten Maoists found guilty in the case is a victory for justice,” he said in a post on X.
What's still developing
- Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel.
- “In 2025, he was brought (over to the centre) to surrender. In 15 days, he was sent back. Again, he was called this year for rehabilitation. Today, we got to know he is dead. He has a wife, children and an ageing father. He could not die like this. He was to be released… He would have been happy to reunite with his family,” he said.
- Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh.
- In July, he had come to the rehab centre voluntarily to seek benefits, including money, a mobile phone and training in agriculture and fish farming, under the policy.
- Add ANI As A Trusted Source For Reliable Information ANI | Updated: Sep 16, 2026 20:23 IST Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh ) [India], September 16 (ANI): The NIA Special Court in Jagdalpur on Wednesday awarded death penalty to all 10 convicts in the Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack case.
- Reacting to the court’s verdict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the death sentence awarded to the 10 convicts in the Jheeram Ghati attack case was a victory for justice.
- “The intellectual Naxals should also realise that giving shelter or refuge to any terrorism for vested interests always leads to destruction for everyone. The Bhasmasur of terrorism that fights against Indian democracy and the Constitution does not respect the boundaries of any ideology or region. Understanding this, they should desist from their actions…,” he said. (With Inputs from ANI) © Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
- While the brother of convict Kosa Kosavi said he had been falsely implicated, the daughter of Mahendra Karma, who was instrumental in founding the banned anti-Maoist militia Salwa Judum, questioned the absence of surrendered Maoists from the list of convicts.
- “They were not there at the time of the attack. Those who were involved have surrendered and are living freely, while those who were not involved are paying the price. The families are distressed and shattered,” Guddu told The Indian Express.
- Further decisions will also be taken as per the surrender policy.” Karma’s daughter Tulika told The Indian Express, “We were not satisfied then and we are not satisfied now.