Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 16 (HBTV): One Naxal was killed in an ongoing encounter with the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Dantewada and Bijapur in the forest area of Indravati National Park, located on the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts, officials said.

A police official confirmed the operation, stating that the encounter with Naxals took place in the dense forest region of the national park and is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, on July 1, the Chhattisgarh government, in coordination with the central government, intensified its campaign to eradicate Naxalism, setting a target for complete elimination by March 2026.

Narayanpur Collector Pratishtha Mamgai stated that a survey was recently conducted to identify housing needs for victims of Naxal violence and surrendered Naxalites. All eligible beneficiaries have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Speaking to ANI, Mamgai said, ‘Under the government's policy, a survey was conducted for housing for all Naxal victims and surrendered Naxalites, and under this survey, all eligible beneficiaries have been approved for PM housing. Additionally, we strive to ensure that people can enrol in various courses offered at the Livelihood College based on their interests. Under this, 110 people are undergoing training. This training is being conducted in three to four disciplines. For instance, courses for taxi drivers, plumbers, and water distribution are ongoing, so our effort is to enable as many people as possible to take up a course of their interest and earn a livelihood through it.’

‘Whenever Naxal victims and surrendered Naxalites come to us, we provide them aid to start a new livelihood and try to make them beneficiaries of all the government schemes. Through training, they will get new means of employment,’ she added.

Under Chhattisgarh’s revised Naxal rehabilitation policy, surrendered Naxalites are receiving skill-based training at the district level through the Livelihood College in Narayanpur. Once trained, they are provided with a monthly allowance of INR 10,000 for three years to support their transition to employment or self-employment.

These training camps offer skill development in areas such as sewing, embroidery, masonry, plumbing, driving, and computer literacy. Former Naxalites undergoing training have expressed satisfaction with their new direction in life while reflecting with regret on their past.

(ANI)