Where the sound of gunfire stopped, children's education will now resonate, CRPF to open special school on Chhattisgarh-Telangana border

CURATED BY – RAJEEV KHARE | CITYCHIEFNEWS

Bijapur/Dantewada, The Karregutta area, once reverberating with the sound of gunfire, is now about to see a new dawn. In this dense and inaccessible forest area straddling the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, where security forces killed 31 Naxalites this spring, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is opening a special school.
This move is being seen not only as an expansion of education but also as a symbol of strengthening the roots of "peace and trust."

A Center of New Hope in the Area

According to official sources, the CRPF has begun surveying the area to identify a suitable location for the school. The Karregutta hills are approximately 60 kilometers long and 5 to 20 kilometers wide. This area features dense forests, rocky valleys, caves, and the remains of old Naxalite bunkers.

The presence of bees, bats, bears, and wild insects in the forest makes it a "natural training ground," which will now become a new symbol of education and community development.

Where there was a shadow of death, now there is the light of knowledge. This area, bordering Bijapur and Mulugu districts, once held strong Maoist influence. Under "Operation Black Forest," the CRPF, Cobra, and local police conducted a historic operation here, killing a large number of Naxalites and recovering weapons.

Now, a decision has been made to develop this area as a center for children's education and training for local youth. The school will also provide residential facilities, sports training, and digital education for local tribal children.

The Role of the Local Community

CRPF officials state that this school will be run under a "Civic Action Program" to integrate local villages into the mainstream.
Village heads and tribal representatives are also being involved in this project. They say that now children will go to school, not the jungle.

Local social workers believe that education is the only way to replace guns with books.

Difficult Terrain, Difficult Preparation
This area still lacks basic amenities. There's no reliable electricity, no permanent road. Temperatures reach 45 degrees Celsius in summer, and rivers overflow during the rainy season, cutting the area off from the rest of the world.
The CRPF is embracing this challenge and plans to build a small health center, a water reservoir, and a solar power plant alongside the school.
The Beginning of a New Era
The state government has linked this project to the "Development and Trust Mission." The Chief Minister has described it as a "historic step towards social reconstruction from armed conflict."
Officials believe that this school will not only provide education to children but also bridge the trust gap between security forces and villagers.
From Bijapur to Bastar—A New Pace of Development

• Naxal Surrenders: More than 60 Naxalites recently surrendered, including a zonal commander.

• New Roads: The process of National Highway 130-D, connecting Abujhmad to Maharashtra, has been completed.

• Local Employment: More than 300 villagers will find employment in construction and supply work around CRPF camps.

Where security forces once faced Naxalites hiding in inaccessible hills, the sounds of children's laughter, play, and study will now echo. This initiative demonstrates that victory achieved through education, trust, and development is more powerful than wars won with guns.