Maoists restore promotion of education in Palamu in wake of public ire

Palamu (Jharkhand), Mar.26 (ANI): Public anger has had its impact on a Maoist outfit in Palamu, Jharkhand, and it sought to restore education in the area and urged villagers to reopen schools, with a motive to avert any kind of inconvenience caused to the students.

Generally, the teachers escape classroom sessions, citing fear of the rebels as the primary cause.

Since the past one-year, several schools in the region wore a deserted look, as most teachers refused to take classes and blamed the Maoists for damaging the academic cycle.

But things have changed suddenly and the situation has changed for the better. On the insistence of a Maoist outfit, the students lined up outside these dilapidated schools and broke all the locks.

"This is an example, but a lot of people have come to us with complaints, either students or teachers. The schools have been constructed, but students don't have any seats to sit on," said Sandeep Kumar, a Maoist commander.

These rebels have indirectly alerted the villagers to be careful of these teachers who are lackadaisical in their approach.

The students were thrilled as the schools reopened, since they could resume their education and avoid the hassles that they have faced over a period of time.

"The school was shut for a very long time and we are very happy that these schools have reopened. Our studies were affected due to this," said Sonal, a student.

Maoist insurgency has spread to interiors of 20 of India's 28 states.

The guerrilla war, waged mostly from the forests of central and eastern India by ultras of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist, now poses the biggest internal security challenge, say analysts.

Hundreds of people have been killed and injured in the violence, perpetrated by both the rebels as well as security forces in counter operations.

Maoists have also significantly increased their presence in tribal and rural regions in the states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa. (ANI)