1 year ago
Chhattisgarh Police Accused of Forced Detention During Skill Training for Maoists
Imagine the police say they're helping people who used to be rebels by giving them job training.
But some people say the police are actually holding them against their will.
They're made to pose for pictures with important people and are told they can go home, but they can't.
The police say it's for their safety, but others think it's unfair and not right.
Some people are being kept in training centers for a long time, and they're not sure when they'll be allowed to leave and go back to their normal lives.
Chhattisgarh Police are accused of detaining villagers for skill training in the guise of rehabilitation for surrendered Maoists.
Detainees claim they are held involuntarily and made to pose for photos with Home Minister Amit Shah.
Police Superintendent says skill training is part of the surrender and rehabilitation policy, citing safety concerns.
Human rights groups and activists criticize the practice as arbitrary detention.
Detainees express concerns over the lack of freedom and the inability to return to their families.
- Who
- Alleged former Maoists and villagers undergoing skill training, Chhattisgarh Police, Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- Allegations of forced detention and lack of freedom in Chhattisgarh's skill training centers for surrendered Maoists.
- Where
- Chhattisgarh, specifically in Bijapur district and Raipur.
- When
- Since December 2023, and specifically regarding the events around the photo with Home Minister Amit Shah in June.
- Why
- To investigate accusations of arbitrary detention and the effectiveness of the rehabilitation scheme.
Human Rights Advocates & Detainees
Chhattisgarh Police
Nature of Detention
Human Rights Advocates & Detainees
Detention is arbitrary and violates civil liberties.
Chhattisgarh Police
Police implement rehabilitation with good intentions for public safety.
Voluntary Participation
Human Rights Advocates & Detainees
Villagers are not being offered the training voluntarily, and do not have the freedom to return.
Chhattisgarh Police
Training is part of the surrender and rehabilitation policy.
Key facts
- Location of Incident
- Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh
- Rehabilitation Center Purpose
- Skill training for surrendered Maoists
- Key Figures
- Amit Shah, Vishnu Deo Sai, Jitendra Yadav, V. Suresh
- Detainee Allegations
- Forced to pose, involuntary detention
- Police Response
- Training is part of rehabilitation, safety concerns
Quotes
Prasanna
Adivasi man in his fifties
“But the moment the camp gets word, they will harass the entire village and pick up someone from our family.”
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“Every morning, we do an hour of exercise, guided by an instructor who comes in to lead the session.”
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Jitendra Yadav
Bijapur Police Superintendent
“It’s for their own good and future – to ensure they have an opportunity for gainful employment.”
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“This year alone, 15 civilians have lost their lives, while 35 were killed last year.”
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V Suresh
National General Secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties
“Keeping villagers in residential training centres under conditional freedom with the method adopted is nothing short of arbitrary detention.”
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“Coercing or compelling people to surrender under threat strikes at the very heart of civil liberties and violates the rule of law.”
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Amit Shah
Union Home Minister
“The children in whose hands the Naxalites had placed guns, those children are being given books to make their future brighter.”
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Unnamed police
Police officials at the rehabilitation center
“Raipur ghumaakar laate hain, phir chhod denge”
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Gaurav Pandey
Assistant coordinator for the scheme in Bijapur
“Certificates are issued at the end of the completion of short-term courses that include masonry, tractor maintenance, agricultural skills, sewing skills and others.”
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Unnamed children
Children at the protest site
“paika paika”
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Unnamed male personnel
District Reserve Guard personnel
“Shaadi karegi kya?”
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Gayatri’s younger brother
Younger brother of a former Maoist militia member
“Chalo surrender karaya, ek mahine rakha, theek hai, par char mahine tak rakhna kaisa theek hai”
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Vishnu Deo Sai
Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh
“Stop working for the Maoists and live a good life by farming in your village.”
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Sources
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