Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], November 17 (HBTV): In an effort to rehabilitate and reintegrate surrendered Naxals into mainstream society, the Livelihood College in Narayanpur district has emerged as a model of structured transformation, combining vocational training with discipline, routine and personal development.
The college provides comprehensive skill development training to former cadres. At present, 110 surrendered Naxals — including 52 women and 58 men, aged between 18 and 50 — are undergoing various courses, all aiming for a fresh start. All of them surrendered within the past two months, ranging from former commanders to lower-rung cadres.
The daily routine is designed to instil structure and purpose. The day begins at 6 am with sports activities, followed by breakfast from 8 am to 9 am. Classes are conducted between 9 am and 12 noon, with lunch from 12 pm to 2 pm. Afternoons are dedicated to practical and theory sessions, while evenings include sports and cultural activities that encourage teamwork and confidence.
Courses include driving, plumbing, sewing, welding, solar panel installation, computer operations, digital mitra services and data entry. Training durations vary from 35 days for driving to 80 days for plumbing. Certifications are awarded by the Rajya Kaushal Vikash Pradhikaran based on performance.
Since its establishment in March this year, the Livelihood College has trained 133 surrendered Naxals. Of them, 104 have received certificates, and about half have secured employment.
Beyond academics, trainees are encouraged to participate in recreational activities. They watch movies together and recently viewed the Women's Cricket World Cup, which many described as inspiring and unifying.
Dr Dibyendu Das, Senior Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Narayanpur, who is part of the training initiative, said the college emphasises integrated farming to help surrendered Naxalites increase their income. ‘The Naxalites are joining the mainstream, but only paddy farming would not increase their income. To increase their income, entrepreneurship and an integrated farming system are being promoted. Integrating animal husbandry and fisheries will help increase income. It takes us two months to train them,’ he said.
Manaklal Ahirwar, Employment Officer and Additional Incharge of the Livelihood College, said, ‘We have trained 104 people and they receive INR 10,000 monthly. It is the trainer’s job to also provide them employment.’
In the last 20 months, over 2,200 Naxalites have surrendered. More than 450 Naxal bodies have been recovered in the last two seasons, and over 200 Naxals have surrendered recently. The recent wave marks one of the most significant setbacks to the insurgency in years, underscoring intensified efforts to restore peace and development in affected regions.
In line with the central government’s vision of a ‘Naxal-free Bharat’, the number of districts most affected by Left Wing Extremism has reduced from six to three — Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur — according to fresh data from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The number of LWE-affected districts has also declined from 18 to 11.
Security forces have recorded ‘unprecedented operational successes’ this year, killing 312 Naxals, including the CPI (Maoist) General Secretary and eight other Politburo or Central Committee members. A total of 836 cadres have been arrested, while 1,639 have surrendered, including one Politburo and one Central Committee member.
Once described as India’s biggest internal security challenge by the then Prime Minister in 2010, Naxalism is now in visible retreat. In 2013, 126 districts across several states reported Naxal-related violence; by March 2025, the number had fallen to 18, with only six earlier categorised as ‘most affected’. (ANI)