A Widow’s Plight: Love, Loss, and the Shadow of Violence in Chhattisgarh

 “Has our daughter eaten?” These tender words were the last Jogi Vatti heard from her husband, a memory she clings to as she sits in her modest home in Parcheli village’s Bandipara panchayat, Katekalyan. With her one-year-old son in her arms and her three-year-old daughter by her side, Jogi faces an uncertain future. Her husband, who had promised to return home on Monday, came back instead in a coffin.

Jogi’s husband, Somdu Vatti, was one of eight District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. Once a member of the Maoist insurgency, Somdu had surrendered and joined the DRG, a special police force that recruits former Naxals to combat left-wing extremism. His journey from a life of violence to that of a protector was tragically cut short, leaving his family to grapple with the aftermath.

From Maoist to Protector

Somdu’s path to the DRG was marked by hardship and transformation. As a young boy, he showed little interest in academics, dropping out of school early and working as a laborer in Andhra Pradesh. It was during these years that he reportedly became involved with the Maoists, though his family remains uncertain about the circumstances.

The turning point came when love crossed his path. Somdu and Jogi, both members of the Maoist cadre, wished to leave the jungle and start a family together. Their surrender to the authorities in Dantewada was a defiant step toward a life of normalcy, as the Maoist ideology forbids marriage and family life for its cadre.

“After surrendering, they married and returned to our village to start anew,” Somdu’s brother Mahender recalled. Somdu later joined the DRG, using his knowledge of Maoist strategies to support the Chhattisgarh police.

A Widow’s Struggle

For Jogi, the dream of a peaceful family life has turned into a nightmare. Once a member of the Maoist insurgency herself, she left behind the struggles of jungle life for the promise of stability in police quarters. “Life in the jungle was incredibly hard. Even getting regular meals was a challenge,” she said, her voice trembling as she recalled those days.

Now, with her husband gone, Jogi fears for her children’s future and her own safety. The looming threat of Maoist violence adds to her anxiety. “I am scared of the people in the jungle. We will return to Dantewada,” she said, seeking solace in the familiarity of the town where she and her husband began their new life.

A Cry for Help

Jogi’s grief is compounded by the practical concerns of survival. Left without her husband’s income and support, she hopes the government will provide her with a job to sustain her family and secure an education for her children. “The love of my life is gone. My only hope now is that the government will help me and give my children a chance at a better life,” she said, her voice heavy with sorrow.

The Broader Picture

Jogi’s story is a poignant reminder of the complex human dimensions of the conflict in Chhattisgarh. As surrendered Maoists attempt to rebuild their lives, the risk of violence and loss continues to cast a shadow over their aspirations for peace. For families like Jogi’s, hope lies in the promise of government support and the resilience to endure unimaginable tragedy.