Once a hotbed of crime, this village now a hub of education & industry
Madhepura: Once notorious for gun-toting gangs and lawlessness, Kalasan village in Madhepura district is undergoing a revolution. Located in the Uda-Kishunganj subdivision, the village, once synonymous with violence, is now fast emerging as a hub for education and industry in the region.
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Kalasan, which saw its darkest days till the early 2000s, now boasts institutions that symbolise progress and peace. An Industrial Training Institute and a polytechnic college have been set up, alongside a Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan, an MGNREGA-funded sports ground and even a full-fledged stadium to promote athletic talent. A residential school for minority communities is under construction to provide quality education to children from underprivileged backgrounds.
The energy is palpable and young people in the village are now passionate about gaining admission into these institutions and preparing for a brighter future.
"Time manages everything," said Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Kalasan. "Farmers now work freely in their fields without fear. The change is real," he added.
But the journey to this point was anything but smooth.
Back in 1984, the village was considered a safe haven for Maoists.
It was here that a group, led by Gonar Sharma, attacked a local police camp, killed a guard and looted firearms. Sharma was later killed and the region fell under the shadow of the infamous Faizan Gang.
What followed was a series of violent rivalries. A gang led by Naresh Yadav challenged Faizan's dominance, followed by the emergence of the Tutli Singh and Badal Singh gangs. All of them eventually met their end in either gang wars or police encounters.
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At the height of the violence, murder, dacoity and extortion were daily occurrences. People feared stepping out after sunset. Farmers were even forced to pay "protection money" just to cultivate their own land.
"The 314 acres of govt land in the area had long been a bone of contention among these warring factions," said Nawal Kishor Jaiswal, a local educationist and social activist. "Now, 146 acres have been transferred to the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority.
Work is underway to build industrial infrastructure and attract food processing units," he added.
Connectivity, once a major hurdle, has also improved significantly. Villagers now have easy access to Bhagalpur and beyond, thanks to the upgraded state highway. The state govt has constructed a parallel road alongside National Highway 106 and built a large bridge over the eastern Kosi river between Vijay Ghat and Naugachhia. Another mega bridge is under construction on NH-107, linking Fulaut to Bihpur. It is expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.
"People are looking forward to a better future for themselves and the generations to come," said a hopeful local.
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