Malkangiri: In a bid to reach out to the surrendered Maoists and youths deprived of education in the society, the district police here has taken up the task to educate them as part of a goodwill initiative, a report said Sunday.
The matter came to light during an induction ceremony for the surrendered ultras and dropout youths into a Plus Three preparatory course of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) organised at the district police headquarters Sunday.
The noble initiative by the district has come in for lot of praise from various quarters. Observers pointed out that this will go a long way in instilling hope among the surrendered ultras and prepare them for rehabilitation and help wean away youths from joining the Maoist fold.
The move has also raised hope among the surrendered ultras who were once roaming in jungles totting guns in their hands.
As many as 196 dropout men and women, including 18 surrendered ultras were admitted to Bachelor in Preparatory Programme, a special course of IGNOU to become eligible for Plus Three studies at the function organised Sunday, superintendent of police (SP) Jagmohan Meena said.
The surrendered ultras and dropout youths admitted in the course will have to attend classes every Saturday and Sunday at the district police headquarters where they will be prepared to make them eligible for Plus Three studies.
These ultras and dropout youths will be taught by the SP, other police officers and faculty of the IGNOU in the classes. In the classes, the admitted ultras and youths can ask questions and clear their doubts on any subjects taught to them, the SP said.
The surrendered ultras and dropout youths will have the opportunity for admission to Plus Three course if they prove themselves eligible after attending classes for six months in the preparatory programme. Sources said the ultras, after remaining for a long period in two Maoist outfits, have surrendered before the district police. The government has taken steps for their rehabilitation. However, they need proper educational qualification to get employment.
When contacted, a surrendered ultra Rama Padiami said that many of the villagers are adopting a wrong path by joining the Maoists but the facilities provided by the government will help them take a correct route.
Among others, Ramesh Rout, a reader of Malkangiri College and IGNOU’s regional coordinator was present at the induction ceremony. PNN