Manjhidih (Banka), July 28: Banks are playing a major role in empowering women through loans in villages where the men have fled their houses after getting caught in Maoists and police tussle.

Left behind to fight the odds and run her family, life was a burden for Munni Devi and Sunaina Devi five months ago. Both these women took it as a challenge. With the assistance of Jaipur branch of the UCO Bank, the women, members of Parvati and Sunita self-help groups (SHGs), have started scripting their turnaround. The women have started purchasing goats with the help of the loans provided to them.

“After buying these goats, we have started earning our livelihood. The bank will soon provide us another loan for poultry farming in the village,” Budhni Devi, another member of the SHG, told The Telegraph.

Manjhidih is a remote village under Katoria, one of the 11 blocks in the district, which shares its border with Deoghar, Godda and Dumka of Jharkhand.

Its pristine location has been ravaged by Naxalites in the past few years. “We witness the Maoists quite often here. Around three months ago, six Maoists were killed in a police ambush here,” one of the SHG members said, adding that the Maoists threatened the villagers with dire consequences.

“Imagine, at a time when the men have fled villages, the women have started dreaming of a new future. It was all made possible because the efforts of the non-government organisation, Professional Assistance for Developmental Action (Pradan),” Devanand, the secretary of Gram Sathi, another local NGO, said.

He said the two SHGs at Manjhidih have received Rs 10,000 from UCO Bank. “The two groups already have Rs 10,000 as their deposits. Now, the two groups will provide loans of Rs 1,100 and Rs 1,500 to each member. The members have decided to purchase hybrid goats, each of which will cost Rs 1,000-Rs 1,200. After eight months, a member will easily be able to enjoy profits of more than Rs 2,000 from a goat,” he said.