Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 15 (HBTV): Bastar Range Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj on Wednesday said focused efforts are underway to support surrendered Naxals who have renounced violence and joined the mainstream, with comprehensive assistance being provided under the government’s rehabilitation policy.
Sundarraj said surrendered Naxals in the Bastar division are receiving support aimed at helping them rebuild their lives peacefully. ‘To shape the lives of surrendered Naxals who have renounced violence to join the mainstream, all assistance is being provided under the government’s rehabilitation policy,’ he said, adding that yoga classes and Sudarshan Kriya training are being conducted at rehabilitation centres in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation.
Officials said that more than 30 surrendered Naxals in Jagdalpur are currently practising yoga to improve their mental and physical well-being through the joint efforts of the state government, district administration and the Art of Living Foundation.
Sharing his experience, surrendered Naxal Asaram Kunjam said he had been learning yoga for the past few weeks and had seen positive changes. ‘Earlier, I felt stressed and had body pain. After learning yoga and performing different asanas, my mind feels peaceful and the pain has reduced,’ he said.
Another surrendered Naxal, Arjun Korsa, said the training provided by the government had helped improve his overall well-being. ‘We have been doing yoga for some days and are now feeling good,’ he said.
Beyond yoga-based rehabilitation, the Chhattisgarh government is also focusing on employment-oriented skill development for surrendered Naxals and people affected by Naxal violence. The Livelihood College in insurgency-hit Dantewada district has emerged as a key institution connecting tribal youth, victims of Naxal violence and surrendered Naxals with job opportunities.
The residential Livelihood College offers vocational training in areas such as computers, sewing, driving, beauty parlour services, plumbing, masonry and data entry. Officials said the initiative aims to make youth employable and promote entrepreneurship, with thousands of candidates receiving training every year. The institute also organises innovation programmes, including the ‘Dantewada Startup Hunt’.
Dantewada Collector Kunal Dudawat said members of Naxal-affected families and surrendered Naxalites are being counselled and trained based on their interests. He said candidates undergo three months of training and receive a stipend of INR 10,000, after which placement camps are organised every three months to facilitate employment.
Dudawat added that several women trainees had expressed interest in starting their own businesses after completing sewing courses and receiving sewing machines under the government scheme.
Principal of Livelihood College Harish Kumar said new courses are introduced based on demand and that 65 people are currently undergoing training in driving, computers, sewing and beauty parlour services. Of them, 35 are surrendered Naxalites, five are their family members and the rest belong to Naxal-affected families.
Sewing trainer Sanju Netam said each batch undergoes 570 hours of training, during which trainees learn to stitch garments, school uniforms and other items. Upon completion, beneficiaries are provided sewing machines to support self-employment.
Several trainees said the programme had given them a chance to rebuild their lives after losing family members to Naxal violence. They said the training had improved their skills, confidence and prospects for earning a livelihood.
(ANI)