Trinamool Congress keen to impart higher education in Salboni, a Maoist stronghold

Trinamool Congress (TMC) has initiated the construction of a college for students, promising to impart higher education in Salboni town, a Maoist hotbed in West Bengal.

With an ambitious plan to impart education and awareness in the youth living in Maoists stronghold, the state government has started the construction of a government college on July 20 for the young students who are living under fear of Maoist threats in the area.

Previously, due to absence of an undergraduate college, students had to migrate to the neighbouring towns of Midnapur or Goaltor for higher studies.

Almost 80 percent of the students gave up studies due to financial constraints or distance from their home town.

Dipak Mahato, a student, said: "80 percent of the students studying with me quit due to these reasons. But now the students are really happy because after completing their higher secondary they can complete their higher studies in this college which is nearby."

Meanwhile the construction of the college building has also proved to be a good source of income and employment for villagers, as they have made some money working as labourers and masons at the construction site.

Kripasindhu Mahato, a labourer, said since the new project has commenced they are able to earn good money to sustain their livelihood.

"It is a source of employment where they give us daily wages. Daily we earn Rs.150 for doing the job in here," Mahato said.

The State Government plans to spend Rs. 7 crores to establish the institution.

The Maoists have for long resisted any government initiative in their strongholds.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has described the Maoist insurgency as India's biggest internal security challenge.