Schools in remote village of naxal-hit Sukma reopen after 13 years

Deprived of educational facilities for 13 years, students in Chhattisgarh's Jagargunda area under the naxal-affected Sukma district of Bastar region have finally seen a ray of hope with commencement of a new academic session from Monday.

Jagargunda was the main commercial centre of the area before 2006, when people left their village and moved to relief camps because of violence during the Salwa Judum movement to counter naxalism.

The village wore a deserted and haunted look.

After a lot of efforts, five educational institutions and hostels have been reopened and made operational, a senior state government official said.

Local students used to study in nearby pota cabins, or temporary schools, as no educational institutions were operational due to Salwa Judum.

"The change in the scenario was visible after the new government came into power in Chhattisgarh. Owing to the demand made by students of the area, schools and hostels were reopened and made operational with the constant efforts