A former Naxalite couple from Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, who once spent years living deep inside the forests surrounded by weapons, has now turned toward an ordinary life built around farming and new livelihood skills. Saroj and his wife Rashmati gave up the path of violence, surrendered before the authorities, and are currently training for a fresh start at a rehabilitation centre in the Kondagaon region.
The reward money and their roles in the outfit
According to police records, a combined reward of 3 lakh rupees was once recorded on Saroj and Rashmati together. Details that emerged later showed the government had separately declared an 8 lakh rupee reward on Saroj alone, while his wife Rashmati carried a 5 lakh rupee reward on her head. Saroj joined the Naxalite organisation in 2008, and over time rose through its ranks to become a company commander. During this period, he carried modern weapons such as an AK-47.
They met inside the outfit, and were later married
Rashmati, who belongs to Bijapur district, joined the Naxalite organisation in 2015. She had studied only up to class four at a school run by the outfit's own Janatana Sarkar before the organisation handed her a 303 rifle. It was during her work inside the outfit that she met company commander Saroj, and the two fell in love. Strict restrictions within the organisation meant they could not meet openly, so they expressed their feelings by writing love letters to each other. When the Naxalite leadership eventually learnt of the relationship, the organisation itself arranged their marriage. Right after the wedding, the outfit forced Saroj to undergo a vasectomy, so that family responsibilities would never pull him away from its work.
Giving up violence for a rehabilitation scheme
After spending several years in the forests engaged in Naxalite activity, Saroj and Rashmati decided to walk away from violence altogether. They surrendered and availed the benefits of the government's rehabilitation scheme meant for former Naxalites. Both are currently living at the rehabilitation centre and receiving the training they need to begin a new chapter of their lives. The couple say they now want to build a happy family for themselves and live with dignity.
Learning new skills to earn a living
Saroj is currently training to become a vehicle mechanic and is also learning to drive a tractor, so that he can take up farming or machinery related work in the future. Rashmati, meanwhile, is training in tailoring and embroidery as she works towards becoming self-reliant. Once their training is complete, the couple plans to return to their village and take up farming there. Securing their family's future through hard work has now become their biggest priority in life.
