Hyderabad: The Telangana government appointed 20 former Maoists from tribal communities as tourist guides under a rehabilitation initiative designed to bring them into mainstream society.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy handed over appointment letters to the selected candidates during a programme held alongside the foundation ceremony for the Future City Police Commissionerate in Bharat Future City.
The government selected the first batch of candidates under the Giridarshak programme. Authorities trained the tribal youth and later appointed them as tourist guides under the Tourism Department to create livelihood opportunities.
Officials from the police, tribal welfare, tourism, forest and endowments departments jointly supervised the training process. Furthermore, the departments prepared the candidates to assist visitors at tourist destinations managed by the government.
Former Maoists assigned to tourist destinations
The first batch of 20 guides will mainly work in tourist locations across Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts. They will explain local culture and regional history to visitors. In addition, they will help tourists follow forest regulations and support officials in ensuring visitor safety.
The government deployed the former Maoists in regions that earlier witnessed extremist influence. Meanwhile, officials said development activities were expanding in Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts.
Authorities said the programme aimed to improve confidence among tribal youth and involve them in integrated tourism development activities. The selected candidates will perform duties in special uniforms.
Officials stated that those who once guided Maoists in forest areas would now guide tourists visiting the same regions.
During the programme, the Chief Minister instructed officials to provide six months of soft skills training to the selected candidates at Young India Skills University. He also directed departments to offer training in various subjects and provide scholarships during the training period.
అజ్ఞాతం వీడి జనజీవన స్రవంతిలో కలిసి మావోయిస్టులను సమాజంలో భాగస్వామ్యం చేయాలన్న వినూత్న ఆలోచనతో 20 మంది మాజీ మావోయిస్టు గిరిజన యువకులను గిరిదర్శకులుగా రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం నియమించింది. ఈ కార్యక్రమంలో భాగంగా తొలి విడతగా ఎంపిక చేసిన వారికి ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ @revanth_anumula గారి చేతుల… pic.twitter.com/OratxpdzMJ
— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) April 28, 2026