Once considered Odisha’s most Naxal-affected district, Malkangiri is now inching towards change and development. In the past, livelihood was limited to cannabis cultivation, but, now, surrendered Naxalites are being offered new opportunities, with training in the digital platform, which has opened doors for them even outside the district. These developments are taking place under the aegis of the district administration, that had recently collaborated with the Border Security Force (BSF) to provide computer training to the youths of the Swabhiman Anchal area.
Swabhiman Anchal is the most cut-off area of Malkangiri district, formed as a consequence of construction of two major reservoirs at Machhkund in 1960s and Balimela in 1980s. The reservoirs created a 60 km-long water channel that surrounded around 150-odd villages from three sides, leaving no access for the inhabitants to the mainland. Due to this, the governments officials were also cut-off from the area for a long time, making it a citadel for Maoists and Naxalites.
Situated at the tri-junction of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Swabhiman Anchal is the main concentrated area where new developmental activities are now taking place, so as to provide a better life to the 174 odd families located in its nine gram panchayats.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR SURRENDERED NAXALS
While speaking with Indian Masterminds, DC, Malkangiri, Vishal Singh, said, “Naxalites operate as a company and has various levels where people are posted according to their qualifications and skills. Some Naxalites have technical knowledge, whereas, some are unskilled and semi-skilled. The skilled Naxalites, who deal with explosives and all, don’t get satisfied in small livelihood opportunities as they think they were working better as Naxalites. Such kind of skilled Naxalites are being given special focus now.”
Whereas, other Naxalites, who are unskilled and semi-skilled, are being provided employment opportunities and training according to their knowledge and skills. For example, under Project Aman, female members have been given land of one to two acres where they can indulge in mushroom cultivation which does not require much space.
Semi-skilled surrendered Naxals are engaged in activities like cooking, or as attendants and security guards. Mr. Singh said, “The basic qualification for a security guard is class 10, and they have to show the certificate to get the job. However, we spoke to the health department and brought down the cut-off to class 8, so as to fill up more and more vacancies and help the surrendered Naxals. Apart from this, some of them were given driver training and driving licenses so that they can start working soon.”
COMPUTER TRAINING
Recently, the district administration and the Border Security Force (BSF) have also opened a computer training centre for the youth and students of Swabhiman Anchal.
In an event organised on 23 November, DC Vishal Singh graced the occasion as Chief Guest and expressed the hope that maximum students and youths of nearby areas will take benefit of the centre, that would be run by professional computer trainers of the BSF and remain functional on every working day.
During the event, Shiv OM, Commandant, Sector Tac Headquarters Malkangiri and Sanjay Das, Second-in-Command/ Officiating Commandant/09 Bn, Subhanjan Mohapatra, Deputy Commandant along with other BSF officials were present. While, from the district administration, T Padmanabhan Dora, Tehsildar, Chitrakonda and Raghunath Mundari, BDO, Chitrakonda were present at the venue. A large number of students from nearby schools along with the teachers also participated in the event.
Mr. Singh said, “While visiting the area of Swabhiman Anchal, we saw that a lot of facilities are already there. Students are educated and are regularly studying in schools. However, the idea to provide computer training came after the demand was raised by the women of the area who wanted some training through which they can also earn a livelihood. Through this training, they can work as data entry operator, typist, etc. In the coming time, jobs of data entry operator will increase and so will the vacancies. Hence, to provide livelihood in the field of computer, we started this initiative and will gradually expand.”
