Surrendering Offers a Better life for Raising a Family

Shrushti Kankariya, 11th June 2021

Ratanlal Kavasi is a 30-year-old married man with three daughters and a son, making a family of six. They lived for 20 years in an area dominated by naxals, making ends meet through agriculture and selling vegetable ghee. The family had to perform a delicate balancing act to not support either the government or the police, which often caused them to question whether to remain in the area.   "Those who want to live in the area will obviously have to listen to and meet with the local Maoist committee when they come", said Kaljuram, brother of Ratanlal Kavasi.   Kaljuram has a nuanced view of the naxals, viewing them as bad due to their opposition to higher education and personal development but also good for society as the horrors inflicted by the rich and affluent were dark and their oppression of lower caste and economically weaker sections had been mitigated by the naxals. However, the security situation worsened over time and he said they needed to “finally make a choice to protect our family over the naxals".

Along with the entire family, they moved to another district of Chhattisgarh surrendered in July 2020 with 3 lakh rupees as a reward. They feel safer since surrendering as no one has tried contacting them, but they are worried at not having a stable place to live and a lesser source of income. Ratanlal is hopeful that his salary will increase once he has finished training and is able to join the police force. His brother Kaljuram works as a coolie and contributes to the expenses with his regular income. Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on whatsapp WhatsApp