Surrendered Maoist found dead in Chhattisgarh rehabilitation centre

A surrendered Maoist was found dead at a rehabilitation facility in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Monday morning, prompting an investigation by local authorities. The deceased, identified as Baddu, was discovered in a bathroom of the centre around 7 a.m. by other former insurgents also undergoing rehabilitation at the facility.

Bijapur Superintendent of Police confirmed that fellow inmates alerted police to the discovery. The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation, with authorities examining the exact cause and timeline of events leading to the discovery.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges in rehabilitating former Maoist combatants who surrender to authorities. Chhattisgarh, long affected by left-wing extremism, has established several rehabilitation centres to help integrate surrendered militants into civilian life. The death raises questions about safety protocols and oversight at such facilities.

Police have initiated an inquiry into the incident and are gathering statements from other residents of the facility to piece together the sequence of events. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.