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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.

Six Maoists surrender

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Gadchiroli: In a major development, six hardcore senior Maoists, including three women, carrying a combined bounty of Rs 62-lakhs, laid down arms before the Director-General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, said Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal.


DGP Shukla, along with Additional DGP (Special Operations) Chhering Dorje visited the Maoist-infested Gadchiroli today when the 6 dreaded rebels decided to join the national mainstream.


Appearing impressive in the special ‘camouflage uniform’ of the Gadchiroli Police – DGP Shukla seemed relaxed and smiled as she posed for photos with the 6 Maoists who were presented a copy of the Indian Constitution.


The Reds who surrendered are identified as: Sukhlal Kulmethe, 58, DVCM North Bastar Mass Team, and Shankarakka Vistarayya Sadmek, 56, Maad Division, DK Press Team Incharge – both carrying a bounty of Rs 16-lakhs each on their heads. Post-surrender they will get Rs. 8.50 lakhs assistance each as part of the state government’s rehab package.


The others are: Shanti Mangaru Majji, 34, Commander, West Bureau Tailor Team; Aytal Guddi Madavi, 39, PPCM, Company 10 of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh; Sameer Ayatu Potam, 24, PPCM, South Bureau Technical Team and also from Bijapur. Each carried a reward of Rs 8-Lakhs, and post surrender will receive between Rs. 4.50-Rs. 5.50 lakhs for their rehab.


The last is Surekha Chaitu Madavi, 28, ACM of Aheri LOS, who was wanted with a bounty of Rs. 6-Lakh and will be entitled to Rs. 4.50 lakhs rehab aid. All the 6 were wanted for several heinous crimes including murder, encounters, arson, ambushes, terrorising the locals, etc.


Among these, the two married couples – Kulmethe-Sadmek alias Vimalakka and Madavi-Majji alias Kavita – shall be entitled to an additional Rs 1.50 lakhs each, while a collective Group Surrender award of Rs 4-lakhs shall also be provided to the six who gave up violence.


Since the launch of the rehab policy in 2005, 716 active Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli, significantly weakening the banned CPI (Maoist). The year 2025 began on a positive note when 11 hardcore Maoists surrendered on New Year Day," SP Neelotpal told ‘The Perfect Voice’.


Later, on June 6, 12 more Maoists laid down arms before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and today 6 gave up violence before the DGP, he said.


Acknowledging the efforts of the Gadchiroli Police and its elite Commandos, DGP Shukla felicitated C-60 jawans with commendation certificates, while M. Ramesh, IPS (Addl. SP, Operations, who led the Kawande Forest encounter), and Satya Sai Karthik, (Addl. SP Aheri, who led the Modaske jungle gun-battle), were specially honoured.


She also handed over cheques of Rs 5-Lakhs each to the families of Raoji Chinna Atram (Kapewancha) and Sukhram Mahagu Madavi (Kiyer), who were brutally murdered by Maoists on suspicion of being police informers, said Neelotpal.


Top officers who joined the DGP included: Neelotpal, Chhering Dorje, Sandip Patil (Spl. IGP, ANO, Nagpur), Ajai Kumar Sharma (DIG Ops., CRPF), M. Ramesh (Addl. SP Ops.), Satya Sai Karthik (Addl. SP Aheri), Gokul Raj G. (Addl. SP Admn.), Sumit Verma (DC Int., CRPF), Aniket Hirde (ASP Dhanora), and Vishal Nagargoje (Dy.SP Ops.), besides Officers and jawans from C-60, PHQ, and other branches.


Neelotpal added that due to intensified operations and attractive rehabilitation measures, 73 hardcore Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli since 2022, including 40 in 2025 alone – the highest in the past four years – and marks decisive steps in weakening the Maoist movement while restoring peace in the region.

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