Former Naxal cadres embrace ballot over bullets as district administration facilitates voting rights under rehabilitation policy
TFP Bureau, Raipur, April 9,2026: In a significant step towards integrating surrendered Naxal cadres into the democratic mainstream, the district administration in Sukma has issued voter identity cards to 116 rehabilitated youth residing at a rehabilitation centre, enabling them to participate in the electoral process.
The initiative, undertaken under the Chhattisgarh Naxal Rehabilitation Policy, ensures that the surrendered youth—who have renounced violence and returned to society—can now exercise their democratic right to vote.
Officials said the newly issued voter ID cards will allow these individuals to cast their votes in elections for local and state-level representatives, including Panchs, Sarpanchs, Janpad Panchayat members, District Panchayat members and Members of the Legislative Assembly. In addition, they will also be eligible to contest elections in the future, marking a major step toward social reintegration and empowerment.
Authorities described the move as a symbolic transition from armed struggle to democratic participation, reflecting a new beginning of dignity, self-confidence and inclusion for the rehabilitated youth.
Government Schemes Extended
According to the district administration, beneficiaries at the rehabilitation centre are being systematically linked with various welfare schemes of the state and central governments. Registration processes for essential identity and welfare documents—including ration cards, job cards, Aadhaar cards, Ayushman cards and labour cards—have already been completed for the 116 beneficiaries. Surveys have also been conducted to provide housing benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
These measures are aimed at ensuring that the rehabilitated youth receive direct benefits of government schemes and are able to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Skill Training for Self-Reliance
Alongside social integration, the administration is also focusing on livelihood opportunities through skill development programmes. Officials said a total of 317 rehabilitated youth have already undergone skill training in different fields.
Among them, 48 beneficiaries were trained in agricultural entrepreneurship, five in sewing machine operation, 265 in combined agricultural entrepreneurship and masonry work, 14 in vehicle driving, and 25 in poultry farming.
The administration stated that the combined efforts of providing identity documents, welfare benefits and skill training are aimed at helping rehabilitated youth move towards self-reliance and a secure future, while strengthening their participation in the democratic framework.
