Koraput: Knowledge is power. And the Koraput police have adopted this adage to win hearts and minds of tribals and misguided youths residing at remote areas of the district.

The Koraput police have helped at least 16 surrendered Maoists, including four women, and nine of their sympathisers to join a six-month bridge course offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou).

The police said on successful completion of the bridge course, they would be eligible to get direct admission in Bachelor of Arts courses under the Ignou.

The bridge course, also known as Bachelor's Preparatory Programme (BPP), is offered to those who want to get a bachelor's degree but do not have the requisite 10 +2 qualification. No formal qualification is needed to join the bridge course, but one has to be literate and at least 18-years old. "Giving way to circumstances and being misguided by anti-national elements, these youths had joined the Maoist organisation at some point of time. After giving up arms they have been rehabilitated as per the surrender policy of the state government. But we thought to empower them further through education," said Koraput police superintendent Kanwar Vishal Singh.

Singh said the surrendered Naxals and their supporters were counselled for several rounds and they agreed to join the academic programme after they were convinced about the benefits of education. All the enrolled surrendered Naxals and sympathisers belong to the Maoist-hit Narayanpatna block of the district.

"They have been joined at our Laxmipur study centre, which lies at a distance of about 20km from Narayanpatna. But to help them, we will conduct classes for them at the Narayanpatna College every Sunday," said Latika Mishra, regional director, Ignou Koraput chapter.

The police said free education materials would be supplied to them and additional coaching classes would also be conducted for them if they required.

"We will help any misguided youth who expresses his or her desire to resume studies," the SP said.

"It is a good effort by the police. Education will surely give us the confidence to get back to the mainstream of the society. I will try to do well in studies," said one of the enrolled surrendered rebels.

The police have also appealed the Naxals and their sympathisers to give up arms and lead a dignified life.

"It is our appeal to the misguided youths to return to mainstream and avail the benefits of the surrender policy," said Singh.