Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Nov. 8 -- Former Maoist Tolam Gopi laughs when he talks about the roads in Bhadradri-Kothagudem. "The roads and the development that you see in the forests of this district are here because of us, one way or another," said Gopi, once known as Gopanna in the Communist Party of United States of India (CPUSI).

"The world-class roads that you see in Kanchanapally, Sayanapally or Damaratogu were built to eliminate us and build mines here. In that way, we are responsible for all of this."

Behind the joke is a grievance.

"The government promises a lot of incentives when it comes to surrender. We were told that every Naxalite who surrendered would receive a house and five acres of patta land. But I got only an acre and no...