Industries minister MLA Kawasi Lakhma re-opened five schools and hostels after 13 years in Naxal-affected Jagargunda, Sukma district on Monday, first day of the new academic session in the state.
Jagargunda region is a highly sensitive Naxal infested area of Sukma district.
In 2006 during ‘Salwa Judum’ movement, Jagargunda and other nearby villages were vacated and villagers were shifted to relief camps. The camps are still operational where around 1200 families are residing. Every three months, government supplies ration to the camps.
As Naxalites had damaged the school buildings and other government buildings by triggering blasts, the schools were shut down. The Naxals targeted the schools protesting deployment of security personnel.
With middle and high schools closed, the children were shifted to PORTA cabin (pre-fabricated structure) schools in Dantewada and Sukma.
Additional to it, network of roads is being constructed to connect the region with Dantewada district and Dornapal of Sukma district.
Finally, after 13 years, state government and district administration has sanctioned the opening of the educational institutions in the region.
Industries minister Kawasi Lakhma, also Sukma MLA, on Monday reopened, high schools, higher secondary schools, boys ashram schools and boys and girls hostels.
Extending greetings, Lakhma said the state government has also brought class 9 to 12 under the ambit of Right to Education to provide free education. This will benefit students up to class 12th to get mandatory free education. It will open new avenues for the local children. Minister also distributed free text-books for the school going children.