This story is from January 3, 2022

Maharashtra: Gadchiroli police launch comic strip to expose Maoists agenda

The Gadchiroli police have launched an effort to expose Maoists through comic strips, labelling them as ‘Gadchiroli Files’, to counter their propaganda networks. On Thursday, the first strip was released in Marathi and English apart from the local tribal language Gondi.
Maharashtra: Gadchiroli police launch comic strip to expose Maoists agenda
In the first strip, a Maoist is shown approaching a school student, trying to lure him to join the rebel movement, which is a reality in the district in several remote parts.
NAGPUR: The Gadchiroli police have launched an effort to expose Maoists through comic strips, labelling them as ‘Gadchiroli Files’, to counter their propaganda networks. On Thursday, the first strip was released in Marathi and English apart from the local tribal language Gondi.
The ‘Gadchiroli Files’, maybe the first comic strip launched by the police, is will be used as a medium to propagate various ideas revolving around the ground realities of the tribal-dominated district.
Though destructive and counter-productive Maoist violence was the inaugural theme, the comic strip would also have other issues of government policies, developments and challenges in the coming days.
In the first strip, a Maoist is shown approaching a school student, trying to lure him to join the rebel movement, which is a reality in the district in several remote parts.
After the student rejects the offer, the comic strip shows the miffed rebels setting the zilla parishad school on fire, and hurling a grenade. The Maoist is shown laughing out loud while hailing the movement with a ‘Lal Salam’, which is their signature way of greeting each other.
A senior police official say the Maoists are known to have clandestine units, like ‘Bal Sangam’, comprising minors, whom they see as effective couriers or messengers apart from future recruits.
SP Ankit Goyal said the comic strip would project the ground realities of the district, in which Maoist violence is only an integral part. “The medium of cartoon was chosen for its universal acceptance and lucid character easily appealing to all. The subjects would encompass issues pertaining to the district, which need to be exposed to the rest of the world,” said Goyal, adding a comic strip would be released every fortnight.
Goyal said the police department had been adopting various platforms for positive propaganda for public awareness through posters, banners, pamphlets and handbills for information dissemination, which would be beneficial for the local population.
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