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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron...

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellet plant. This ‘green steel’ project, part of LMEL’s push for an integrated steel complex in the region, is functioning not just as an industrial unit but as a crucial pillar in the Maharashtra government’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. So far, LMEL, in coordination with the state government and the Gadchiroli Police, has provided employment and training to 68 surrendered Maoists and 14 members of families affected by Naxal violence, a total of 82 individuals, offering them a definitive pathway back to the mainstream. The Shift The transformation begins at the company’s dedicated Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre at Konsari. Recognizing that many former cadres had limited formal education, the company implements a structured, skill-based rehabilitation model. They are trained in essential technical and operational skills required for plant administration, civil construction, and mechanical operations. For individuals like Govinda Atala, a former deputy commander, the change is palpable. “After surrendering, I got the right to live a new life,” Atala said. “I am very happy to get this job. I am now living my life on my own; there is no pressure on me now.” Suresh Hichame, who spent over a decade in the movement before surrendering in 2009 too echoed the sentiments. He realized the path of violence offered neither him nor his family any benefit. Moreover, his self-respecct was hurt. He knew several languages and carried out several crucial tasks for the banned organization remaining constantly under the shadow of death. Today, he works in the plant, receiving a steady monthly salary that enables him to care for his family—a basic dignity the ‘Red Ideology’ could never provide. The monthly salaries of the rehabilitated workers, typically ranging from Rs 13,000 to Rs 20,000, are revolutionary in a region long characterized by poverty and lack of opportunities. Trust, Stability The employment of former Maoists is a brave and calculated risk for LMEL, an industry that historically faced stiff opposition and even violence from the left wing extremist groups. LMEL’s management, however, sees it as an investment in inclusive growth and long-term stability for the district. The LMEL has emphasized the company’s commitment to training and facilitating career growth for the local populace, including the surrendered cadres. This commitment to local workforce upskilling is proving to be a highly effective counter-insurgency strategy, chipping away at the foundation of the Maoist movement: the exploitation of local grievances and lack of economic options. The reintegration effort extends beyond the factory floor. By providing stable incomes and a sense of purpose, LMEL helps the former rebels navigate the social transition. They are now homeowners, taxpayers, and active members of the community, replacing the identity of an outlaw with that of a respected employee. This social acceptance, coupled with economic independence, is the true measure of rehabilitation. The successful employment of cadres, some of whom were once high-ranking commanders, also sends a powerful message to those still active in the jungle: the path to a peaceful and prosperous life is open and tangible. It transforms the promise of government rehabilitation into a concrete reality. The plant, with its production of iron ore and steel, is physically transforming the region into an emerging industrial hub, and in doing so, it is symbolically forging the nation’s progress out of the ashes of extremism. The coordinated effort between private industry, the state government, and the Gadchiroli police is establishing a new environment of trust, stability, and economic progress, marking Gadchiroli’s transition from a Maoist hotbed to a model of inclusive and sustainable development.

Dilapidated Ulhasnagar bridge collapses

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Ulhasnagar: In the wake of the recent bridge collapse over Pune’s Indrayani River, a similar alarming incident occurred in Ulhasnagar’s Camp No. 5 area on Sunday evening. A decades-old bridge built over a stormwater drain in Ganesh Nagar collapsed due to heavy rains, narrowly missing a tragic accident. A young girl crossing the bridge escaped and a child and woman were also reportedly close to danger at the moment of collapse. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.

 

However, the collapse has caused massive disruption, cutting off access to over 600 houses in the locality. Residents now face extreme hardships, with children, elderly citizens, school students, patients, and working individuals stranded. Locals have voiced strong resentment against the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) for ignoring repeated warnings about the dangerous state of the bridge.

 

According to long-time residents, the bridge had been in a dilapidated condition for several years. Despite multiple complaints, written petitions, public protests, and memorandums submitted to the municipal administration, no concrete steps were taken to repair or replace the bridge. This negligence has now resulted in complete infrastructural failure, exposing the civic body’s apathy.

 

While Speaking to The Perfect Voice, local resident Radhakrishna Sathe stated, “We have been complaining to the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation for the last two years. Despite repeated reminders, no repairs were ever carried out. A child and a woman narrowly escaped the collapse. This could have been a tragic incident.”

 

Following the collapse, angry residents held a symbolic protest at the site by staging a sit-in and weeping demonstration to draw attention to their plight. The atmosphere in the locality remains tense, with people demanding immediate construction of a new bridge and swift civic action before the situation worsens with further rainfall.

 

The Perfect Voice attempted to contact UMC Commissioner Manisha Awale for an official response, but she did not answer calls. The administration’s silence on such a serious public safety issue has only deepened citizens' frustration and highlighted the perceived insensitivity of local authorities.

 

With the monsoon just beginning and more rain expected, residents are calling on the municipal administration to act urgently and begin construction of a new, safe bridge without delay.

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