Decline in insurgency paves way for development in rural Tripura

Agencies
AGARTALA, SEPTEMBER 21

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith a gradual decline in insurgency, development work has gained momentum in Tripura. The successful implementation of several schemes has benefitted rural areas and people now have access to basic facilities.
Tarun Das, a rubber tapper, has been coming to Abhicharan village regularly to work in a rubber garden and earn his livelihood.
This wouldn’t have been possible some years back when people were not able to come to the village for fear of being abducted by militants.The decline of militancy has changed the face of the village and has significantly impacted the lives of people like Tarun.
“Earlier, we could not come here because militants used to abduct people for money. But now, the situation has changed and we can come here now and work peacefully,” Tarun Das said.
Situated under the Mohanpur sub-division of West Tripura, Abhicharan Village is inhabited mostly by tribals, and was once a bedrock of militancy.
However, with peace returning to the area, rapid development is now taking place.
Under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana’, bridges and roads have been constructed, and the village is now well connected with other parts of the state.
Villagers now have proper electricity and drinking water as well.
A villager Chandra Debbarma said, “During rainy season, we could not go to the market, and especially, carrying patients was very problematic. We used to take them in cradles to hospitals. But after the bridge was constructed, it has been a great help to us. Vehicle movement has started and students can go to school without any difficulty to get educated. The government is doing a lot for our development and peace has returned here.”
There is a greater scope for economic activities for people from within the village and outside now.
A number of people, especially women, have found employment opportunities through MGNREGA.
People are now taking up piggery and other self-employment activities.
“Here, most women are engaged in backyard piggery through which they earn good profit. This has empowered them and made them self-employed. This extra income helps them to run their families smoothly and to educate their children. We are earning sitting in our homes and after completing our household chores,” added Labana Debbarma, a villager.
Under the National Rural Health Mission, health centers have been set up and villagers can now avail the benefit of free medicines and checkups.
The school that once used to be empty is now witnessing an increase in enrollments through the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, under which the students get free mid-day meal, books and stationery.
Ruma Debbarma, a student said, “We come to school daily as we have regular classes and our teachers teach us with care. We get free books, bags, dress, tie, shoes and mid-day meal in our school.”
The overall development in Abhicharan village is a clear example of the impact of peace and successful implementation of welfare schemes. Other villages in the north-east can also get similar results by rejecting violence.