Malkangiri: The hands which once wielded guns are now holding brooms. The desire of leading a happy and dignified life has driven two female Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream of society.
Unlike carrying guns in their hands, donning Maoist uniforms and indulging in violence, the two former ultras Malati Kabasi and Debi Madhi from Maoist heartland have now transformed into sanitation workers at the district headquarters hospital in Malkangiri.
According to sources, Malati was a member of the Maoist outfit in Baipariguda and worked for eight years. She was involved in violence in 12 places under Alampaka, Baipariguda and Ramgiri police limits.
Similarly, Debi was an area committee member in the cut-off area Kalimela of Malkangiri. She was one of the prime accused in as many as 12 different cases of Maoist attack including Ramaguda encounter and seizure of Damanjodi mines.
However, they got fed up with violence, bloodshed and surrendered before the police a few years ago. Later the district police made necessary arrangements for their rehabilitation and after some months, the duo returned to mainstream of the society. After coming to know about the vacancies of sanitation workers at the Malkangiri DHH, the duo applied for the posts and was later selected for the jobs.
“I surrendered before the police in June 2017. Earlier, I was leading a life of hardship, but now I am appointed as sanitation worker and I am happy to make the hospital clean because it is a very noble profession," said Malati.
Echoing similar sentiments, Debi said, “I worked in Maoist organisation for 10 years and then surrendered. The police had assured us a good life so let's hope that everything turns out fine."
ADMO in-charge Sapan Kumar Dinda said, “The return of Malati and Debi to mainstream of society is a perfect example for those who are still choosing to live the way of extremism.”