Raise ‘Dandakaranya Battalion’ in army for tribal youth: Chhattisgarh CM

The chief minister said in the meeting that setting up of the battalion would not only help youth from the tribal-dominated Bastar division to serve their country after joining the army, but it will also create job opportunity for them, he said.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh has suggested raising a ‘Dandakaranya’ battalion on the lines of the Naga regiment of Indian Army to facilitate entry of tribal youths from Maoist-hit Bastar in the armed forces.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh is presented Mahua by a village woman during his surprise visit to a village in Konta, Sukma on Friday. (PTI)

“The CM made the suggestion while chairing the civil military cooperation meeting that concluded late last evening at New Mantralaya here,” a government spokesperson said on Friday.

The chief minister said in the meeting that setting up of the battalion would not only help youth from the tribal-dominated Bastar division to serve their country after joining the army, but it will also create job opportunity for them, he said.

Notably, Dandakaranya region, which spreads over the border districts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, is considered a stronghold of Maoists.

The first conference of military, civil administration and police after the state formation in 2000 had discussed enhancing employment opportunities for ex-servicemen.

The chief minister also pitched for providing special training to local youths ahead of organising army recruitment drive so that they can do well in the selection process, he said.