The Chhattisgarh government has decided to reopen 260 state-run schools in the Naxal-hit Bastar region after the local population demanded education for their children. Schools in Sukma, Narayanpur, Dantewada, and Bijapur districts were shut for 15 years due to Maoist violence.
Now, collectors of these districts have been asked to ensure admission to the full extent in primary and pre-primary classes. District officials have also received orders to ensure the appointment of teachers in all the schools.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will make a formal announcement on June 16 when the government is observing 'Shala Pravesh Utsav' (school admission fest).
Officials said 400 schools were shut in the insurgency-hit areas of the Bastar for nearly 15 years. He added that Naxals have been pushed back due to the government's focus on developmental activities in the region. Many projects started by the government will benefit tribal children and local communities have also demanded education.
The region was at the centre of an anti-Naxal movement called Salwa Judum from 2005 to 2006. The anti-Maoist civil militia was disbanded in 2011 after the Supreme Court ordered it. In 2018, the Congress government reopened some closed schools in south Bastar and built new school buildings as the old ones were in ruins.
The authorities observed that many residents, especially children of the school-going age, were happy with the move. The schools that opened have been seeing admission of students as well.
In April, the CM had claimed Naxal incidents have significantly declined in the Bastar region. He also said the state government is ready to hold talks with the rebels if they expressed faith in the Constitution.
He added that his government has managed to win the confidence of the people through welfare schemes. "We want peace and normalcy to return to Bastar. The region will reclaim its earlier identity of peace and brotherhood. Tribal brothers and sisters will live peacefully with nature. We have been making efforts in this direction," said the CM.