PEACE RETURNS TO KTAKA NAXAL ZONE …….S Girijashankar
People-Friendly Officials Build Bridges With Ktaka Tribals Living Under Red Shadow
People-Friendly Officials Build Bridges With Ktaka Tribals Living Under Red Shadow
Chikmagalur (Karnataka): The chilling sound of bullets has faded out, instead there is the click-clack of weaving machines in villages around the breathtaking Kudremukh foothills. Once the hotbed of Naxal activities, the villages of Gurige and Hulgarubalu in the district resonate with the buzz of women engaged in making cotton bedsheets and towels. The Times of India visited these villages, nestling in thick, evergreen forests, surrounded by steep hills and connected with narrow roads, and found a marked change. For one, tranquillity was ready to blanket the area again.
THE NAXAL BELT
Once dominated by Naxalites, the villagers lived in fear and were not ready to divulge any information. They were sceptical about any overtures by the government and detested the police. But this decade-old conflict has begun fading away. In the past few 16 months, people-friendly officers of the police and revenue departments have begun frequenting these regions and instilled confidence among tribals.
TRANSFORMATION
Women who were earlier engaged in their routine of housekeeping and odd jobs in their tiny paddy and areca fields have started learning weaving with the help of the state textiles department. Weaving centres have been set up in Gurige, Hulugarubayalu and Shirlu.
The initiative was taken up by state textiles minister Goolihatti Shekhar, who visited the area and provided handlooms to those who wanted to take up weaving. Solar lights have also been installed. Shekhar promised to start a training centre and give Rs 1 lakh to families, who are ready to install looms at home. Centres were opened to provide training to tribal women in Gurige, the women learnt in one-and-half months. They say they are happy with this new activity and wealth. During the training, each woman gets a stipend of Rs 2,000 per month, but once they set up their own looms, they get Rs 100-150 per day. Sringeri tahsildar Yogishwar said there are plans to start a retail showroom in Sringeri town to sell the products to tourists and pilgrims.
CATALYSTS OF CHANGE
The people were also appreciative of Yogishwar and police inspector Sadananda Thippannavar, who are on good terms with all the families, and help the tribals through government schemes, like applications pertaining to Sandhya Suraksha (old age pension). Land rights have been given to many as it was their long-standing demand.
Yogishwar said it is a joint effort by the constituency MLA and higher-ups. Besides, the people have also been cooperative.
Yogishwar and Thippannavar said that this year, their aim was to give thrust to education and health. All schools here will be equipped with computers to expose children to computer education. Bangalore Rotary has come forward to provide 10 computers for the schools. The two are working on organising a medical camp here and have also brought in a system where applications submitted are approved within 24 hours.
There is now understanding and confidence between the people and officials. Police harassment and suspicion have come down and people appear more open in their discussions. Naxal teams foray to the area has stopped as the police manage to get tip-offs about their visits. Though the tribals are still cautious, they have faith in the police.
* A STITCH IN TIME: A woman weaves a bedsheet on a handloom at Gurige training centre. (Right) Women complete work on bedsheets and towels at the centre. (Above) Tribals at Shirlu are happy to get their land right