Sukma (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 19 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Wednesday urged Naxalites who are attacking teaching volunteers and obstructing education in the state to stop civilian killings and surrender.
Volunteer teachers, known as Shikshadoots, have been unable to access the Nav Gurukuls established by the CRPF due to Naxal threats in Bastar. Vijay Sharma said that if the left-wing extremists wanted to hold talks with the government, they must first stop the violence.
‘Shame on those Naxalites who slit the throats of village teachers and then talk nonsense. If they want to work with the government to reach a consensus, they should stop all this. I want to say through you that civilian killings should be stopped; only then will talks be held,’ Sharma told ANI.
Teachers working as volunteers in rural areas have faced repeated attacks and intimidation. A major attack on volunteers in Silger, Chhattisgarh, has instilled fear among them.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) P Sundarraj said the intimidation is a reaction to the administration’s recent crackdown on Maoist groups.
‘Due to the recent campaign launched against the CPI (Maoist) organisation, Maoist groups are on the back foot. Their numbers are decreasing, and their influence is shrinking. Frustration from this has led these groups to target innocent volunteers working in rural education, committing acts like killings and intimidation,’ he said.
Calling the Maoist organisations ‘anti-development’, the IG assured strict action against the perpetrators of such attacks.
‘This reveals the anti-development face of the Maoist organisation. Such actions do not show their strength but their weakness. We plan to identify and take strict action against all those responsible for attacks on volunteers. Additionally, we will make a special effort to ensure the safety of these volunteers,’ he added.
The Shikshadoots have expressed fear after one of the volunteers was attacked by the Naxalites.
Shikshadoot Imla Bandhu said, ‘The children take great interest in their studies. After what happened to one of our companions, we also felt scared because I received a warning. That’s why an atmosphere of fear has already developed. A total of five people have been murdered recently. The whole area is scared now.’
Another Shikshadoot said he had requested the District Collector for a safe space after receiving a warning from the Naxalites.
‘The children learned from the government-provided books and were very interested in their studies. Now, due to the incident in Silger involving my friend, I am unable to go there. I also spoke with the collector and informed him that I am experiencing some difficulties going there. Having received a warning once before, I am feeling scared. I requested the collector to provide me with a safe place,’ he said.
District Collector Devesh Kumar Dhruv said seven schools were recently approved by the state government, while the CRPF is setting up Nav Gurukuls to promote education in Naxal-affected areas.
‘As camps are being established in inner areas, education is also being continuously expanded. Seven schools have been recently approved by the government, and Nav Gurukuls are also being established by the CRPF. The CRPF is also paying the teachers’ salaries from its own funds. Significant expansion efforts are underway in the education sector,’ Dhruv said.
(ANI)