Date:29/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/29/stories/2004122903120500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Steps to wean away youth from naxal fold

By Our Staff Reporter

WARANGAL, DEC. 28. Apprehending the increased recruitment of the youth by naxalite groups in the district, the administration has come up with schemes to wean away the youth from extremist fold.

The ongoing survey of `more problematic' villages is not only aimed at gaining full control over the administration but to engage the youth who dropped out of schools in some avocation.

According to sources, in most of the villages affected by extremism, it is naxalite groups who rule the roost and not the Government machinery.

Employees of Government agencies also prefer to reside at district headquarters instead of the place of work.

In the absence of officials, the illiterate poor approach naxalite groups for solving their problems, including petty litigations.

Vocational training

The instant justice being offered by extremists is attracting people to seek their assistance.

The Police Department has identified and picked up school dropouts and those possessing 10th class certificate for training them in vocations of their choice such as electrical winding, bookbinding and motor driving as part of its youth employment scheme.

Revenue teams along with personnel of other departments are looking into issues such as housing for landless, need for primary health centre, school, drinking water facilities, besides Rajiv Yuvashakti for unemployed youth.

The district machinery is focusing mainly in Mangapet, Tadvai, Eturunagaram, Mulug, Pasra, Venkatapur, Bhupalpalli, Mulug Ghanpur, Mogullapalli, Chityal, Regonda, Kothaguda, Parkal and Khanapur mandals.

According to sources, over 50 youngsters have been recruited by the CPI(Maoist), the CPI(M) Pratighatana, the Praja Pratighatana, the Communist Party of United States of India (CPUSI) and the Janashakti in recent times.