Story perspectives

16 Ex-Maoists Surrender, Receive Roses, Constitution in Chhattisgarh

5/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Papa Rao and 16 former Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh, ending their armed campaign.
The ceremony displayed their rifles and gave each surrendering insurgent a rose and a copy of the Indian constitution.
Former rebels said poverty and abusive forest officials drove them to the Naxal movement, while rights groups allege extrajudicial killings, torture and rape and scholars warn the Naxal label suppresses tribal protests against mining in the Red Corridor.

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Story summary

Papa Rao and 16 former Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh, ending their armed campaign.
The ceremony displayed their rifles and gave each surrendering insurgent a rose and a copy of the Indian constitution.
Former rebels said poverty and abusive forest officials drove them to the Naxal movement, while rights groups allege extrajudicial killings, torture and rape and scholars warn the Naxal label suppresses tribal protests against mining in the Red Corridor.