RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Jan.27: Chief Minister Hemant Soren today exhorted extremists to shun violence and assimilate into society while speaking to a gathering at Budha Pahad, a former Maoist stronghold in Garhwa district.
According to Soren, violence is not a solution to the problem, and so the youth who have deviated and embraced extremism as a solution to their problem should return to the mainstream of society, where the government is eager to welcome them and has developed a profitable scheme for them.
Those accompanying him during the historic visit included Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh and DGP Neeraj Sinha.
According to the chief minister, Jharkhand is famed for the sacrifices of leaders such as Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi, and Nilambar Pitambar, among others, and so youths should not do anything that tarnishes the reputation of their forefathers.
Soren stated that the administration is devoted to transforming “Budha Pahad” into “Jawan Pahad,” and that the area that has suffered as a result of left-wing extremism will be transformed into the state’s happiest spot.
Later, speaking to reporters, Soren reinforced his vow, adding that the people of the area are not expected to profit by taking government projects in their hands rather than carrying weapons.
He stated that the way his government laboured for three years to root out extremists, the day when extremism will be eradicated from the state is not far away.
Chief Minister Soren invited journalists to return to the site after six months by road to obtain personal knowledge of the state government’s development effort.
“This time we came here by chopper. I expect everyone to visit this place again after six months by road alone for real assessment,” Soren said.
Hemant Soren has become the first chief minister to landed at Budha Pahad, which used to be Maoist den till September 2022.
Budha Pahar is situated on the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border. Being a geographically difficult terrain, it was under Maoist control and it was difficult even for security personnel to take each step as Maoist having better knowledge of the area could ambush from any hidden location.
A large portion of Budha Pahad falls in Chhattisgarh while some parts come under Latehar district and Garhwa district of Jharkhand. Naxalites used to keep on carrying out incidents in other areas, keeping their eyes on police movement easily.
CM Soren, on this occasion, also launched the Budha Pahad Development Project (BPDP) covering 175 developmental schemes worth Rs 5.279 crores. It is a part of an ambitious 100 crore project. He communicated with 150 villagers of Tehri Panchayat liberated from the clutches of extremists and also congratulated the security personnel who ensured liberation of the hill which is connected with Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister as part of BPDP also distributed welfare benefits including mini tractors, pump sets, seeds, agriculture related kits, ration kits, football kits, bicycles to local people.
Highlights of the Budha Pahad Development Project (BPDP)
- Budha Pahad Development Project (BPDP) worth 100 crores to be launched for integrated development of the area
- Under the ambit of this, 11 villages of Tehri Panchayat of Garhwa and 11 villages of Aksi Panchayat of Latehar to be fully developed
- Total population of this ST dominated village is 11,890 (approx) out of which 5869 are females and 6021 are males
- Under BPDP, thrust shall be given for financial independence of the residents besides providing basic amenities like housing, ration, pension, health, education, safe drinking water in saturation mode
- Focus on infrastructure development such as roads, schools, buildings, anganwadi centres, irrigation facilities apart from host of other things
- Under the first phase of BPDP, foundation stone is being laid for the aforementioned schemes as well as distribution of benefits of various welfare schemes to be done worth 5 crores
