Gadchiroli:
The police training ground in Gadchiroli has an odd sight - civilian families camping in a corner. The Naxals forced them out of their homes for letting their sons join the police force.
"The Naxals would threaten us. They said, hand over your son to us. I have 26 acres land, a TV set and a motorcycle. I left everything behind and came away in the night," relates Tukaram Rajaram Kerame of Belargondi Village.
The sons of these tribals joined the C60 commandos of Gadchiroli - the crack anti-Naxal unit at the forefront of Operation Greenhunt in Maharashtra. Set up in 1992, the unit mostly comprise tribal villagers who know the local topography well and have an edge in operations. 17 years later, they are armed with better guns, but their battle remains as bloody and unrewarded.
"We know the jungle well. Naxals fear that we can disrupt their activities. That's why they are so opposed to tribals joining the police force," explains Constable Chinnavenda.
But the C60 men say their valour is never recognised. Not a single bravery award has come their way since 1992; nor have choppers, which are crucial in these dense forests.
"My jawans often corner me, asking why we are not getting a helicopter when it is required," says Superintendent of Police S Jayakumar.
The lowest rank in the C60 cadre gets paid Rs 19,000 a month. In case of death, the family gets Rs 50 lakh as compensation. Naxals killed 50 of these policem4n in 2009.