Reverse vasectomy offers new life and hope for ex-Maoists

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maoists351DRIVEN to desperation by the Maoist way of life in the dense forests, Naxal commander Ramesh (name changed) and his wife had deserted the rebel camp in 2011 and surrendered before the police-where an unexpected advice for ‘reverse sterilization’ has changed their life all over again.

“I never knew that it’s possible to reverse vasectomy. But it all happened with the help of the police. This was something wonderful for both my wife and me,” he told TOI sitting at the police control room here where the surrendered Maoist is now working as a ‘gopniya sainik’, a secret home guard, entitled to remuneration.

“We are excited that we can lead a normal family life and have children,” said Ramesh, who had spent 10 years in the Maoist camp where he unwillingly underwent vasectomy after being persuaded by the rebels leaders who believe that problems associated with pregnancy, subsequent child rearing and filial attachment of its cadres could create hurdles in revolutionary movement.

While the ex-Maoist commander was willing to reveal his identity and even be photographed, senior police officials refused to allow it saying that it could compromise his safety. They also cited Centre’s suggestion to states that the names and addresses of ex-Naxal cadres, who avail the option of reverse sterilization, should not be disclosed. “For me, it’s not a problem. After all the ups and downs in my life, I believe that if something is destined; it will happen,” he quipped.

“After my marriage, Maoist leaders began regularly exerting mental pressure on me to undergo vasectomy, saying that pregnancy and child birth will lead to immense hardships for my wife. Then, I agreed to it as we had to stay with them,” he said adding, “But we deserted Maoist ranks later after we started noticing the wrongdoings, the difference between what they preached and practised, and the exploitation of cadres.”

Ramesh is among the three ex-Maoists who had undergone reverse sterilization in 2012 at the behest of then inspector general of police (Durg range) R K Vij – a step that prompted the Centre to ask nine Naxal affected states to facilitate medical help to willing ex-naxal cadres for reverse sterilization so that they can return to normal family life.

“We stumbled upon the idea of suggesting reverse vasectomy to the surrendered Naxal cadres after detailed interview with them. Many times, the rebel cadres had to undergo vasectomy as it is a pre-condition for marriage in the rebel camp. Initially, we impressed upon a multi-specialty hospital in the state capital to do it free of cost and it worked,” IGP Vij said. Subsequently two more surrendered Maoist cadres went under the scalpel for reverse sterilization, costing around Rs 25,000 each.

RK Vij, who is now additional director general of police (Naxal operations), said he felt that rehabilitation of surrendered Maoists has to be addressed with sensitivity and needs regular follow up so as to keep them attached to the mainstream. “Reverse vasectomy and child bearing will create a family bond and a long lasting effect on these cadres,” he said adding that no case of female sterilization among rebel cadres has come to notice so far.

“We have also noticed a positive change in the relationship of couples after the man has undergone reverse sterilization. It has definitely offered them a new life and hope,” said Dr Sanjeev Shukla, superintendent of police, Rajnandgaon.

After Ramesh and his wife, 12 other Naxal cadres-who were active in the inter-state border areas of Chhattisgarh and neighbouring Maharashtra-followed suit and surrendered in 2012.

Official sources said that the police have now identified about a dozen other surrendered ex-Maoists who want to undergo reverse sterilization so that they can return to their normal family life while all superintendents of police of Naxal affected districts have been asked to counsel the surrendered Naxal cadres about how reversal of vasectomy is possible.

The state government is in the process of issuing formal orders to include reverse sterilization in the relief and rehabilitation policy for Naxal surrender as it could help meet the cost of surgery at government expenditure, they said.

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