Minister Radhakrishna Kishore Visits Maoist-Affected Palhe and Turkun Villages

Assures development projects including roads, schools, and amenities

Key Points:

• Minister walks 1.5 hours to reach remote Palhe and Turkun villages
• Promises reopening of closed schools and construction of proper roads
• Villages lack basic infrastructure: water, electricity, and connectivity

PALAMU – Jharkhand Minister Radhakrishna Kishore visited the Maoist-affected Palhe and Turkun villages under the Naudiha Bazar block on Friday. These villages, known for their history with Maoist insurgency, are among the most remote areas in the district. The minister walked over 1.5 hours on steep mountainous terrain to reach the villages, as there are no roads connecting the area.

First Leader to Visit Post-Independence

Radhakrishna Kishore, whose constituency includes these villages, is likely the first public representative to visit the area since independence. During an hour-long interaction with villagers, they shared pressing issues, including a lack of proper roads, electricity, clean water, and functional schools.

Kishore assured villagers that closed schools in the region, inactive since 2016-17, would be reopened. “I have directed education department officials to act swiftly, and approvals from village education committees have been secured,” he added. He also promised the construction of concrete roads to connect these villages, ensuring better accessibility.

A Troubled History

The region holds a significant Maoist history. In 2018, two female Maoists from Palhe and Turkun villages were killed in police encounters, while four others were arrested. Reportedly, local girls gathering firewood were forcibly recruited into Maoist groups. Following these incidents, the villages gained notoriety, prompting then-Palamu SP Indrajeet Mahtha to visit the area.

Promises for Development

Kishore emphasized that his visit was not politically motivated. “I did not come here during elections for votes, but as a minister, I prioritized visiting these villages first,” he stated. He acknowledged the struggles villagers face, including walking long distances across mountains even to vote.

The minister criticized officials for neglecting these villages. “If Block Development Officers (BDO) and Circle Officers (CO) visited even once a year, many problems would have been solved,” he said. Kishore instructed officials to coordinate with the forest department to improve road infrastructure and ensure villagers receive benefits like the Mukhyamantri Maaiyan Samman Yojana, delayed due to Aadhaar-linking issues.

Moving Forward

The villages, located near the borders of Manatu, Nawajaipur, Chhatarpur, and Naudiha Bazar police stations, remain isolated due to rugged terrain requiring a steep 2-kilometer climb. The area’s inhabitants belong primarily to primitive tribal communities, facing years of neglect.

Kishore’s visit is seen as a critical step toward addressing these challenges and ensuring that government schemes and development projects reach the region.