After 16 years of struggles, the Chhattisgarh Govt has reopened schools in Naxal-dominated villages of Bijapur district, as informed by the district administration.

The District Collector of Bijapur Ritesh Agarwal informed that the Naxals destroyed many schools in last 15-16 years but 116 schools will be reopened this year which will benefit more than 2800 children. The children from Chinna Jojer, Pedda Jojer, and Kamkanar villages of Bijapur can attain an education now, he added.

DC Agarwal further informed about the obstructions faced by the administration from Naxals during the road construction as many security personnel were harmed in the process.

The Block Education Officer Zakir Khan also informed that the trickiest part is to establish a communication with the villagers. The Govt created a network for the students so they can access the Right to Education.

Around 900 students have been enrolled in 14 schools in a block, added Khan.

Despite all odds, the teachers are working their way through a river to reach the school every day. The students were also informed that the teachers have not missed a single class.

BEO Khan informed that over 300 schools were destroyed in Bijapur in the conflicts of 2004 and 2005 after the rise of Salwa Judum against Maoists in Basta. During the conflict, the Naxalites were targeting school buildings in the interior regions of Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada, and Narayanpur. The areas include Pedda Jojer, Kamkanar villages, Chinna Jojer, where the schools were targeted by Maoists.