PM Awas Yojana Provides Homes to Surrendered Naxals and Violence Victims

Balrampur: For the first time, surrendered Naxalites and Naxal violence-hit persons in Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh are benefiting from the special project of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Nayantara Singh Tomar, Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat Balrampur, informed on Friday that the special project aimed at facilitating persons affected by Naxal activities or persons surrendered from Naxal cadres.

"We got a list of 77, and when we went through it, 30 were found to be eligible. Among these, 23 have already been approved for accommodation. We are trying to rectify some technical problems so that the rest of 7 can also get cleared," Tomar clarified.

Sitaram Sonwani, who was a Naxalite, narrated his experience, claiming that he had joined a Naxalite outfit in 1999 but was nudged to leave by his wife. "We resided in Assam for 15 years, and after surrendering, I went to jail for 14 months for the things that I have done earlier. Now, my family is content in the house that we got under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). I am thankful to the government," said Sonwani.

Earlier, on March 31, the body of a female Naxalite, with a reward of Rs 25 lakh on her head, along with an INSAS rifle, cartridges, and other daily belongings was recovered at an encounter spot in Dantewada, officials said.

Security forces launched an anti-Maoist operation in the Geedam police station area in Dantewada and border villages of Bijapur, such as Nelgoda, Akeli, and Belnar.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on March 30, revealed that 50 Naxalites surrendered in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.