Youths with CRPF personnel in Gaya. Picture by Suman

Gaya, June 13: The central paramilitary forces, known for their action against extremists, have taken a social initiative to nail rebels. Their personnel are teaching unemployed youths of Maoist-hit areas in the district combat techniques so that they can earn a living.

The central force personnel are imparting a three-month commando training to 28 youths from Imamganj, Dumaria, Barachatti, Mohanpur, Konch, Manpur and Wazirganj blocks of the district. These unemployed youths identified by Jan Jagran Sansthan, Action Against Child Trafficking and sexual exploitation of children (ACTSEC) and the CRPF are being trained at the headquarters of CRPF 159 battalion near Gaya-Bodhgaya Ghughritand bypass. The CRPF 159 battalion commandant, Brajesh Pratap Singh, told The Telegraph: “The training is being imparted at the initiative of CRPF additional-director-general P.M. Nair.”

The commandant said the programme was conducted using the funds provided by the ministry of home affairs.

Singh said the aim behind training the youths is to prevent them from falling into the trap of Maoists. It is very easy for the Maoists to allure the unemployed youths coming from weak financial background and involve them in Naxalite activities. After the training is completed, the CRPF would provide certificate to these youths. Another aim behind the training is to make these youths eligible to get jobs in private security agencies.

“Some private security agencies have arrived here for campus selection of these youths and we hope that the trained youths will get good placements,” he said.

Among the youths undergoing training, only one is a graduate. Thirteen are Class X passouts and 12 are Intermediate passouts.

Jan Jagaran Sansthan project manager at Gaya, Uday Kumar, told The Telegraph: “The organisation has arranged accommodation, food, uniform and shoes for the youths.”

The central paramilitary forces are involved in other social activities in Gaya under its civil action programme as well. It assist the district administration to maintain law and order during the 17-day Pitripaksh Mela organised every year in September.