
Sarpanch killed by Maoists 2 decades ago, his family is first to get home under new Chhattisgarh scheme
According to the government, hundreds of surrendered Maoists and victims of Maoist violence will be beneficiaries of the scheme. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, 'The Centre has sanctioned 15,000 houses for such beneficiaries in Chhattisgarh.'
Masa Sodi's wife, Sodi Hungi (48), is a resident of Oiras village, located over 20 km from Sukma district headquarters. Hungi has two sons and three daughters.
The family has received Rs 95,000 in two instalments under the scheme and is set to get another instalment to make the total amount Rs 1.35 lakh. They also spent some of their own money to build their four-room house.
After Masa Sodi's death, Hungi sold liquor and worked as a domestic help to raise their five children, said one of the sons, Rama Sodi (27). While the three daughters did not go to school, the two sons lived and studied in neighbouring Dantewada district.
'My mom did a lot of work and suffered a lot. We have seen many terrible days — I cannot express in words. I do not know why my father was killed… I was in class 1. We never found out which Maoists killed him. For all we know, those Maoists are already dead. For the past several years, Maoists have stopped coming to our village. I dropped out of college after HSC and we are farmers,' Rama said.
Until recently, the family had a kutcha house, but last month the construction of their new house was completed and they have since moved in.
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