GADCHIROLI, MAHARASHTRA: Shanti Navrokulla, a surrendered Maoist in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, had got orphaned in her early childhood. She shared the hardships that she and her comrades have had to face at the hands of Maoist groups with which they were associated. She stated that even if they were ill, they had to work for the Maoist groups and were made to lift heavy loads even beyond their capacity, putting their lives at risk from the security agencies in case of any conflict. “It used to happen even during emergencies, and we were told to face difficulties and carry heavy things”, she said.
Once she realised the extent to which they were being exploited, she left the path of the Maoists, also known as Naxals, and surrendered to the police. She now has a job and is leading a safe and secure life. Baby Wasnik said that it was he who had approached the Maoists since he wasn’t really educated. “I did rastabandi (road blocking) for them. But gradually I came to know that their way of life was not the right path pursue, so eventually I surrendered,” he said. “Now I work with Lloyds Metals. I am thankful to Gadchiroli SP, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and MD, B. Prabhakaran for giving me this job and now we are living our lives well,” he stated.
This is not the story of just Navrokulla and Wasnik, but many others who had surrendered and are now a part of the mainstream. Sushila Poreti, who too surrendered and joined the mainstream said that her family was very poor, and hence couldn’t afford her education in her childhood, so she eventually joined the Maoists. “I am leading a peaceful life now and have undertaken adequate training under Lloyds Skill Development program.
I am now confident of working to the best of my abilities. I am happy that I am leading a progressive life now,” Poreti said. Their joy has doubled with Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis asserting on 22 July that Gadchiroli, which was once dubbed as most backward district, and in the power corridors was known as a “punishment posting”, is all set to become the country’s next green steel powerhouse.
The Chief Minister said this while unveiling multiple projects. Fadnavis made these remarks while laying the foundation stone for a 4.5 MTPA mega integrated steel plant by Lloyds Metals and Energy (LMEL) at Konsari, including the inauguration of a 5 million tonne per annum (MTPA) iron ore grinding plant at Hedri, an 85-kilometre-long, 10 MTPA slurry pipeline between Hedri and Konsari. He highlighted the role of the police and the people of Gadchiroli for standing by the Constitution and the democratic system and not with the Maoists, who were thriving in the area for decades. “Today, even former Naxals are working at Lloyds plant. The Naxal network has been broken, only a few remain, and they too must surrender,” he said. Mining for iron ore in Gadchiroli’s Surjagarh area began in 2016, but the new iron ore beneficiation plant is the first dedicated facility of its kind in a district whose economy is driven primarily by forest produce and agriculture.
The Maharashtra government also played an important role in bringing back the Maoists to the mainstream through its policy. As per the state government, its surrender and rehabilitation policy which offers an immediate grant of Rs 5 lakh for higher-ranked LWE (left wing extremism) cadres, and Rs 2.5 lakh for middle/lower-ranked cadres per surrender—has played a major role in the region. Chandrapur and Gadchiroli were known hotbeds of left wing extremists (LWE) until early 2000. Since 2005, as many as 704 Maoists have surrendered in Maharashtra as per state government records. After 2020, no security personnel have died in clashes with the Maoists.
While at least 56 Maoists have been killed by security forces and police in the region since 2021. The state government’s policy had also led to the surrender of Vimala Chandra Sidam, who had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on her head, Nangsu Tumaretti, who carried a bounty of Rs 41 lakh and Aseem Rajaram, who was the spokesperson of the Maoist group. Rajaram is now a key public relations team member at the Lloyds plant. All these successes come in the wake of Union Home Minister Amit Shah setting a deadline to end Maoism by 31 March 2026 across the country. With the new steel plant all set to be completed in 30 months, the region once known to be a Maoist hot bed is now on the verge of witnessing industrial boom with guarantee of employment.
