The efficacy of education in weaning away youth from left wing extremism is being put to test in Maoist-affected Rohtas district of south-western Bihar.

A group of IITians joined hands with the Rohtas police to impart free coaching to students from about 30 villages in Nauhatta block of the district, a hotbed of naxal activity.

The students will be coached  in a wide range of examinations. The list of programmes on the anvil include those oriented to secondary, higher secondary, medical and engineering examinations.

“About 800 students from some of the poorest areas had already enrolled for the coaching programmes”, said Rohtas SP.