Orphaned By Maoists, They Vow To Dismantle Red Infra
In 2005, a village warden Lalsu Pungati was lynched in a guerrilla kangaroo court in Nargunda, Gadchiroli. His son, Sainath Pungati, was directly appointed as a police constable. Both received their job letters from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on July 22. The ceremony marked a significant step in rehabilitation of families affected by Maoist atrocities. So far, 56 victims have been recruited into the police force in three years.
Once helpless and cringing under fear after Maoists dragged their fathers out of their homes and slaughtered them in public, these orphans of insurgency have transformed their grief into resolve. Years passed, and the fear diminished as law enforcement turned the tables on the guerrillas. "We witnessed our father's killing. His lifeless body and my inconsolable mother are still fresh in our memory. We will serve the police with sincerity and combat Maoists," said an appointee.
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The Maharashtra govt has now stepped in and is offering an opportunity to those who bore the brunt of Maoist kangaroo courts. Their children are now joining the commando force, determined to dismantle the regime that abruptly snatched their fathers' protective care.
"The recruitments are based on special relaxations for Scheduled Tribe categories, requiring only physical attributes and a minimum qualification of Class 7, with no written examinations," SP Gadchiroli, Neelotpal, said.
These appointments are part of a 2018 govt decision to rehabilitate Maoist-hit families by offering direct appointments to Group C and D posts in various departments. Fadnavis, who also virtually inaugurated new administrative buildings for police posts at Dechalipetha and Jimlagatta hamlets, stated the govt is keen to rehabilitate families who suffered in the hands of Maoists.
The appointment of Naame Nagamani and Sainath by the CM himself symbolizes a powerful shift, stated IG State Anti-naxal operation cell, Sandip Patil. Once victims of Maoist terror, they are now empowered to protect their communities, vowing to end the menace that shattered their families.
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