In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, a township is being built for Naxals who have surrendered.
The exclusive township, being developed by Chhattisgarh police in Dantewada district, will provide safe accommodation for surrendered Maoists. They will also be imparted training in professional skills so that they can lead a good life.
A senior police said on Thursday that some of these surrendered people are themselves involved in construction of the township.
“For the first time, such a kind of township is being built for surrendered Naxals in the country. We plan to inaugurate it on January 26 next year,” Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abshishek Pallava was quoted as saying by PTI.
Located about 400 km from state capital Raipur, Dantewada is one of the worst Naxal-hit districts in Bastar region.
Over the years, Dantewada district police has been encouraging Maoists to give up violence and join the mainstream. To strengthen their surrender-and-rehabilitation drive ‘Lon Varratu’ (meaning return to your home/village), they have introduced the township project.
The township, which is being developed over 39 acres, will have 108 one BHK apartments, a recreational centre, yoga-cum-gym centres, primary school, primary health centre, transit hostel and anganwadi.
Special assistance fund granted by Ministry of Home Affairs is being used to build the project, would will cost around Rs 9 crore.
According to the SP, the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign which was launched in June 2020, has yielded good results as “400 ultras have quit violence under the drive so far.”
He informed that 20 shops are being built within the township to help the Maoists start their own business.
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