Cop to rehabilitate dropouts

They are implementing 'Jana Mythri' programme and 'Educate youth,' to create awareness of the value of education and also facing consequences, if they support Maoists. The police are making serious efforts to curb Maoist activism in the district, as Maoist activities are on the rise in neighbouring Chhattisgarh state.

In recent times, the Maoists killed police personnel and a sarpanch and also burnt three tractors in Sukuma district in Chhattisgarh state, only 20 km from East Godavari agency area. With these incidents, the police have intensified vigil and combing operations in four mandals and also along the Andhra Orissa boarder (AOB).

They are also taking steps to educate the tribal youth, especially who have dropped out from the schools, their whereabouts and their movements.

The police believe that education is only way to fight Maoist ideology.

They are making all efforts to combat Maoist extremism in the four merged mandals of Khammam District to East Godavari District to facilitate the construction of the Polavaram project. In the neighbouring Chhattisgarh state, the Maoists are active in Dantewade, therefore, the police have intensified combing operations in the four mandals.

“We want to educate the children in schools as there are good residential schools in the agency area. But, many of the children stopped their education and are going with their elders for field work. We want to bring them back to the education fold and give training on professional courses to get employment. The government also gave some exemptions for recruiting them in police department,” said M. Ravi Prakash, the Superintendent of Police. He said that the police are also counseling the locals not to help the Maoists.