Panchu Soren (34) from Gokhat Hudisahi in Chingudipal Panchayat under Kaliapani police station of Jajpur distric had joined the Naxal camp about 15 years ago. Not satisfied with the Naxal ideology, he had surrendered to police. But Panchu did not get any rehabilitation benefits as per Government rules.
Panchu and the other Maoists who had left extremism are living a miserable life today. Neither are they getting any Government support, nor do they benefit from the developments in their area.
Panchu has a burden of a family of four members. It has become difficult for him to feed his wife and four children, let alone arranging medicines for his ailing wife. Panchu had joined the Maoist camp in 2007 at the behest of top Maoist leader Sushil.
For four months, he was trained at various camps iGusuma, Dasapalla and Nuagaon under Nayagarh district. About a year later, Panchu had surrendered at Kaliapani. Many years have passed since then, but Panchu is still deprived of rehabilitation package from police and Government assistance. Panchu is married to Sana, from neighbouring Kumudibahali village. They have four children. His family includes two sons Purna (11) and Naga (10) and two daughters Sita (4) and Jawa (2). The food security scheme provides the only support of the 25 kg rice family per month.
Although there is a valuable chromite mine near the village, Panchu is completely jobless. Going to the forest on a rainy day and collecting dry wood is not easy; so they have to remain unfed for many days. At the same time, the poor couple does not have a job card. Sana Janani is far from the Government’s ‘Mamata’ scheme. It is alleged that the mother and child were not benefited as Anganwadi Center is about a mile and a half from the village. Panchu is landless and lives on forest land with two men. He has been left out of the housing schemes of the State and the Center. The house where he lives is in critical condition due to lack of repairs.
The couple, who is struggling to make ends meet, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to physical, social and economic hardships. When contacted, Block Welfare Extension Officer Santosh Kumar said that he would do his best to help neglected tribal family.