2 weeks Ago By Rashmi Drolia
RAIPUR: Victims of Naxalite violence and surrendered Maoists , who can't see eye to eye, may now come face to face, or even team up, in the ' Bastar Olympics ' - a one-of-its kind village games meant to bridge gaps and build hope in the Maoist-affected region. Chhattisgarh govt is organising the games from Nov 1. This unique initiative is meant to encourage youngsters, inculcate sporting spirit, and help mainstream ex-Maoists.
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, who heads the home department, told TOI the event is focused on children and youth, mainly those victimised by insurgency. "This will boost their confidence and spirit for looking forward in life. Those who perform well .
..will be felicitated and govt will help them explore their field of interest," he said.
Officials hope 'Olympics' inject 'feel-good' factor in Maoist zone The games come at a time when intense security ops have pushed Maoists on the backfoot and govt sees a clear path for development. Dozens of schools closed for two decades are reopening in erstwhile Maoist dens. Officials hope the Olympics will inject a feel-good factor in what's been a battleground for over two decades.
An official explained to TOI that engaging Bastar youth in studies and sports will keep them away from Maoist attempts to recruit them. In a rare admission recently, CPI(Maoist) had issued a booklet where it acknowledged the difficulties in recruiting cadres due to the sustained security operations. Bastar Olympics will coincide with the general time when Maoists go around villages, seeking to rope in, or drag, youngsters into their fold.
The games will begin at the block level to ensure maximum reach, Bastar range sports officer Ravindra Pattnaik told TOI. "As per initial plan, block-level Olympics will be organised from Nov 1-15, followed by district level contests from Nov 15-20 and divisional level finals at Jagdalpur from Nov 8-30. The winners will be presented with cash prizes and mementos," he said.
Surrendered cadres and victims of Maoist violence will play only at the divisional level, Pattnaik said. There will be four sub-categories - victims of IED blasts or Maoist violence, surrendered Maoists, junior and senior groups. The list of participants has not been prepared yet, because the detailed guidelines are yet to be finalised, said officials.
Disciplines include hockey, football, kabaddi, volleyball, weightlifting (only men) and tug of war (only women). It's not usual for Maoist victims and surrendered cadres to come face to face, or together in general public. Police are careful to keep former Maoists away from the local population as far as possible, keeping them in special camps for the cooling period.
'Bastar Olympics' will be an unprecedented platform for the meeting of two sides whose relationship outside the arena is dominated by fear, pain and loss. When TOI tried to find out how victims feel about the games, those who could be contacted were extremely wary. One of them said, "I don't have a leg.
It was blown up by an IED. How will I play any game?" Another said: "I would be quite embarrassed. I have an amputated limb.
" In Maoist-affected areas of Bastar division, villagers live in utter dread of Maoists - so much so that families dare not inform police when one of their loved ones is murdered by Maoists. Activists aren't too enthused by the games. "It's being organised with the hidden agenda of gathering public support for the militarisation going on in Bastar which is focused on corporate loot of minerals, land and forest," activist Sanjay Parate said.
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