Chhattisgarh: Surrendered Naxalites, people affected by Naxal violence get benefits under PMAY in Balrampur

HORNBILL TV

Surrendered Naxalites and people affected by Naxal violence in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district are receiving benefits under a special project of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for the first time.

Balrampur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 9 (HBTV): Surrendered Naxalites and people affected by Naxal violence in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district are receiving benefits under a special project of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for the first time.

Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat Balrampur, Nayantara Singh Tomar, said on Friday that under the special project, housing benefits are being extended to those who have been affected by Naxal incidents or are surrendered Naxalites.

‘A list of 77 people was received, out of which 30 were found eligible, and 23 have been approved for housing. After addressing technical shortcomings, the remaining 7 will also be approved for housing,’ Tomar said.

Sitaram Sonwani, a surrendered Naxalite, shared his experience: ‘I joined a Naxalite organisation in 1999. Later, my wife urged me to leave the group. We lived in Assam for 15 years, after which I surrendered. I also spent 14 months in jail for crimes committed in the past. Now my family is living happily in the house we got under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. I thank the government.’

Earlier, on March 31, a team of security forces recovered the body of a female Naxalite from Dantewada, who carried a reward of INR 25 lakh. An INSAS rifle, ammunition, and other daily-use items were also recovered from the encounter site.

The operation was carried out in the areas under Geedam police station of Dantewada district and Bhairamgarh police station of Bijapur border villages—Nelgoda, Akeli, and Belnar—by security personnel under the DRG area.

On March 30, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that 50 Naxalites had surrendered in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.

‘It is a matter of great joy that 50 Naxalites in Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) surrendered, abandoning the path of violence. I welcome those who leave violence and weapons and join the mainstream of development. Modi ji’s policy is clear that any Naxalite who leaves weapons and adopts the path of development will be rehabilitated and connected to the mainstream,’ Shah stated on X.

(ANI)