Bastar:
Child warriors in the jungles of Bastar have been brainwashed by Naxalite militants.
In the jungles of Bastar, 15-year-old Niram roam with gun in his hand and revolution on mind.
Niram joined the Maoists a year and a half ago. He's already an old hand at encounters with the police. For this young fighter, the slogan is simple.
",I have taken up arms to give justice to people,", said Niram.
Thirteen-year-old Munjum Kishore was forcibly picked up and trained by Maoists before he escaped. Now he studies at a residential school in Raipur
",They used to tell us to run away with police weapons after killing policemen. I used to be very disturbed. We had to leave our household work behind and take part in encounters,", said Munjum Kishore.
These young soldiers are part of the Bal Dalam or Child squads of the Naxalites. Their job is to spy on the police and run errands for senior Naxals. According to police sources, there are at least 5,000 child soldiers working for Maoists in the Bastar area.
",It is certainly a matter of concern that children are being used by Naxalites. We will not allow their plans to succeed,", said Ram Vichar Netam, Home Minister, Chattisgarh.
These children are now an integral part of the Maoist machinery in Bastar. They may not be in school but are learning dangerous lessons.
Child warriors in the jungles of Bastar have been brainwashed by Naxalite militants.
In the jungles of Bastar, 15-year-old Niram roam with gun in his hand and revolution on mind.
Niram joined the Maoists a year and a half ago. He's already an old hand at encounters with the police. For this young fighter, the slogan is simple.
",I have taken up arms to give justice to people,", said Niram.
Thirteen-year-old Munjum Kishore was forcibly picked up and trained by Maoists before he escaped. Now he studies at a residential school in Raipur
",They used to tell us to run away with police weapons after killing policemen. I used to be very disturbed. We had to leave our household work behind and take part in encounters,", said Munjum Kishore.
These young soldiers are part of the Bal Dalam or Child squads of the Naxalites. Their job is to spy on the police and run errands for senior Naxals. According to police sources, there are at least 5,000 child soldiers working for Maoists in the Bastar area.
",It is certainly a matter of concern that children are being used by Naxalites. We will not allow their plans to succeed,", said Ram Vichar Netam, Home Minister, Chattisgarh.
These children are now an integral part of the Maoist machinery in Bastar. They may not be in school but are learning dangerous lessons.
