The 16-member study team of National Defence College, New Delhi which is currently on tour of Chhattisgarh had discussions on insurgency problem in the region with the Bastar district administration officials on Tuesday.
The team also studied social, cultural, economical and development works taken up in the tribal dominated district. The study team is led by Major General SK Saini who interacted with District Collector Ankit Anand, Bastar SP Ajay Yadav, CEO Zila Panchayat Dantewada Saransh Mittar and others. Anand briefed the study team about geographical setting, economic and social condition of Bastar.
He outlined the dependency of tribal population on forest resources and agriculture practices, literacy status, road conditions, telecommunication, banking, power supply in region along with measures being taken to improve their condition.
He informed the study team about coaching being provided to tribal children for cracking various medical and engineering entrance examinations. Steps taken for skill development and agricultural improvement were also presented before the team. The economic betterment happening through women self-help groups (SHGs) in villages across Bastar were also pointed out by the Collector.
Development work can alone reduce Naxal activities in Bastar, Anand said, adding, consistent efforts in this direction are being made. SP Ajay Yadav detailed strategies adopted by outlawed left wing extremists and informed Army officials about various incidents in which Naxals were involved in the attire of common villagers.
Instances of Naxals using villagers as shield were also told by the SP to the study team.
Faculty manager in-charge of the study team Major General SK Negi lauded the efforts of young officers in Bastar and suggested to carry out photography and video recording of operations which helps in gathering evidences.
The study team comprises Army officials from India, New Zealand, England, Japan, Equador and Bangladesh. As a part of the curriculum, students of the National Defense College are sent on tour to different States of the country for a socio-economic study of the region. The team will return to New Delhi on February 6. During their Chhattisgarh tour, the team members will now visit Kanker and Durg districts as well.
Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand while meeting the study team on February 2 at the Mantralaya in Naya Raipur provided detailed information on Chhattisgarh’s geographical, social and economic status and apprised them about the development schemes launched by the State Government.
He had told the members of study team that Chhattisgarh is the first State of the country to enforce Food and Nutrition Security Act and empowered the people with the right to receive food grain supply at a low cost.
The law on ‘Right to Skill Development’ has also been enforced to provide skill development training to the youth in the trade of their choice. The entire country has been lauding the PDS of Chhattisgarh, the Chief Secretary said. Dhand also informed the team members about State Government’s initiatives to expand education, health, road and communication facilities.