From Maoist Ranks To Classrooms: Eight Surrendered Cadres Clear Class 10 Exam In Chhattisgarh

For eight surrendered Maoist cadres in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, clearing the Class 10 examination has become a step towards rebuilding their lives after years spent away from mainstream society.

The eight former cadres cleared the Class 10 State Open School examination held in August, with the results declared last month. Among them is Geeta Narote, 36, who now hopes to pursue nursing after returning to education.

Narote, originally from Gurekasa village in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, dropped out after Class 6 following the killing of her father by Maoists. As the eldest of four sisters, she took responsibility for her mother and siblings.

She joined the Maoist movement in 2004 and later became a divisional committee member. She worked with the organisation’s medical team in remote areas and became known as “Dr Champa”. She was among 210 Maoists led by senior cadre Rupesh who surrendered in Jagdalpur in October last year.

After surrendering, Narote and the other cadres expressed their desire to resume their education. Under the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, they received Rs 50,000 each, which helped them buy books and other study material.

A former Maoist cadre who had worked as a teacher also helped them prepare. The group followed a timetable and practised previous years’ question papers before appearing for the examination.

The other successful candidates are Yadgiri Kondghatla alias Bhaskar, Santosh Anchla alias Sannu, Ramdhar Kashyap, Madkam Dulla, Navru Poyam, Arjun Payam alias Vasu and Ramji Gavde.

Sannu, 31, had dropped out after Class 2 and joined the Maoist movement in 2008 through its cultural wing. He later became a teacher within the organisation, teaching basic mathematics and Hindi to young cadres. He now wants to continue his education, start a business and take up farming.

Ramdhar Kashyap, 34, also left school after Class 2 and surrendered in March this year. He said he had always wanted to study.

Bastar Superintendent of Police Shalabh Kumar Sinha said the surrendered cadres were being provided necessary assistance under the rehabilitation policy.

For these former cadres, passing Class 10 is more than an academic achievement. It gives them a chance to pursue higher education, employment and other livelihoods as they begin a different chapter of their lives.