Bhubaneswar, Sept. 30: They may have put together detonators to blow up hundreds of school buildings but Maoists lodged at the Gunupur sub-jail want their children to study in “Bhubaneswar schools”.

At least 10 rebels lodged in the jail have requested the jail superintendent to help send their children to good schools in the state capital so that they receive quality education.

The superintendent of Gunupur, Ashish Kumar Sinha, in an official communication to IG prisons, has informed him about the interest shown by the rebels lodged in the prison.

“Undertrial prisoners involved in Arms Act and explosive substance Act relating to banned naxalite movement are interested to take the opportunity of educating their children at Bhubaneswar,” the letter reads.

“Of the 10 rebels lodged here, eight have children and they have expressed their interest to educate their children at a school in Bhubaneswar,” Sinha said.

“Most of them repent their involvement in Maoist activities and do not wish their children to fall a victim to the false ideology. That is the reason they want to educate them far away,” he said.

“It’s a welcome step that they wish to join the mainstream at least in some way. There are also a couple of voluntary organisations who have expressed their interest to take up the job. We will be working it out soon,” said IG (prisons) Pranabindu Acharya.

Bhubaneswar-based Madhur Mayee Adarsh Siksha Niketan (MMASN), a school managed by an organisation named Patita Uddhar Samiti, has expressed its interest to educate these children.

The MMASN already shelters 50 children of jail inmates, all murder convicts, who are lodged in all the 18 jails across the state.

“It’s very natural of the rebels wanting to see their children get educated and not go haywire,” said Abharani Choudhry of the Patita Uddhar Samiti.

“Over the years we have seen children of the inmates grow up to be responsible individuals excelling in arts, music, sports and studies. Education has brought about a lot of changes in them and the change is also visible in the attitude of their parents,” said Choudhry.

“The inmates behind the bars are happy when they find their students winning interstate competitions and going places,” she said, adding that the same must be true for the Maoists.

“They (Maoists) must have been forced to tread the path of violence, as there was no other way they could fulfil their wards’ requirements. But now that they are behind the bars, they must be very worried about their families their children. We are really keen to look after the children of these arrested Maoists and to do whatever best possible,” she added.