Ex-Maoists in Maharashtra’s red corridor turn to industry and peace

Maharashtrarsquos red corridor is witnessing a quiet yet powerful transformation where dozens of former Maoists armed insurgents waging war on the State are now turning the wheels of industry running households and building a new future in the very region they once destabilisedAS Maharashtra gears up for the inauguration of the first phase of a fivemilliontonnesperannum MTPA iron ore grinding plant at Hedri on July 22 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis a human story of resilience and redemption unfolds beneath towering machines and steel structuresShanti Navrokulla former MaoistAt the heart of this industrial revolution are 65 surrendered Maoists who have found employment with Lloyds Metals amp Energy Limited LMEL the company behind the ambitious project These individuals many of whom had dropped out of school to join the extremeleft movement are now key contributors in departments ranging from administration to civil engineering and mechanical operationsSurrendered Maoists speakldquoI was orphaned during my early childhood days Even if we were severely ill our superiors still expected us to toil They used to make us lug loads that were too heavy for us to bear During emergencies we were told to just put up with everything prompting me to leave the movement Since the day I got a job I have been leading a safe and secure liferdquo said Shanti Navrokulla a surrendered MaoistldquoI never thought Irsquod wear an ID card work in an office and send my child to schoolrdquo said a former Maoist now employed in LMELrsquos civil department ldquoWersquove exchanged fear for stability Irsquom building roads and infrastructure now not destroying themrdquoClockwise from top left Former Maoists Maniram Sonu Atala Sushila Poreti Govind Atala and Sainath Pungati who are now employed by Lloyds Metals amp Energy LimitedAnother former Maoist Maniram Sonu Atala said ldquoSince I wasnrsquot very educated I was tasked with blocking roads But gradually I came to know that this path was not good so I eventually surrendered I am thankful to the Gadchiroli superintendent of police the chief minister and Lloyds Metalsrsquo Managing Director B Prabhakaran for giving me this job Now I lead a nice liferdquoLife after gunThe transition from gun to grindstone was not easy Most of the former rebels lacked formal education or technical skills But with the intervention of the Gadchiroli police and the support of LMEL they were trained mentored and placed in roles suited to their potentialThe surrenderandrehabilitation initiative part of Maharashtrarsquos multipronged leftwing extremism LWE strategy includes financial assistance legal support counselling and job placement Itrsquos a policy that has not only brought insurgents back into the fold but given them a reason to stayldquoThey are no longer just stories of surrender They are stories of survival and successrdquo said an LMEL official overseeing recruitment ldquoThese individuals are running homes raising families and contributing to the local economyrdquoPowerful shiftA significant number of these individuals have also found personal fulfilment Under the Gadchiroli policersquos lsquoProject Sanjeevanirsquo many have recently gotten married further grounding them in mainstream life Stable incomes homes and families have replaced hideouts in the jungle and days of constant fearFor women formerly involved in the insurgency the shift is particularly powerful ldquoWe fought for change but now we live it I cook for my family work during the day and no longer fear the sound of helicoptersrdquo said a woman who now works in LMELrsquos administration officeThe 5MTPA iron ore grinding plant at Hedri and Maharashtrarsquos first operational 10MTPA slurry pipeline are part of a broader vision to industrialise the eastern region of the state The pipeline alone reduces carbon emissions by 55 per cent making it a green logistics model Yet it is not just infrastructure thatrsquos being built mdash itrsquos livesWith the upcoming foundation stone laying for a 45MTPA integrated steel plant a 100bed hospital a school and Lloyds Township LMELrsquos footprint is growing But it is the human capital mdash the former Maoists now employed there mdash that serves as the most profound proof of changeA new dawnldquoJuly 22 2025 will be remembered not only for industrial progress but for the quiet revolution in human livesrdquo said B Prabhakaran managing director of LMEL ldquoThese former Maoists are no longer on the fringes They are at the centre of developmentrdquo From taking up arms to taking up responsibility the journey of these individuals is a testament to what compassionate policy publicprivate cooperation and personal courage can achieve