A former security camp in Bhatpal, located in the remote Abujhmad region of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division, has been converted into a residential facility for tribal students. The initiative aims to make education more accessible for children from remote villages, many of whom previously struggled to find accommodation close to their schools. Students began moving into the hostel facility on August 11, 2026.

The complex now houses two separate hostels for Scheduled Tribe (ST) boys. The Pre-Matric ST Boys’ Hostel has a sanctioned capacity of 100 students from Classes 6 to 10, while 114 students are currently residing and studying there. The Post-Matric ST Boys’ Hostel, meant for students in Classes 11 and 12, has 50 sanctioned seats and currently accommodates 39 students.

For children from Abujhmad and neighbouring interior areas, distance has long been a major obstacle to continuing their education. Students travelling from villages far from schools often had limited accommodation options after completing Class 10. Many had to rent rooms near educational institutions, adding to the financial pressure on their families and making regular attendance more difficult.

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The new hostel has provided students with a more organised environment for both education and daily living. Ritesh Soni, a Class 9 student from Halamimunjmeta, said the facility has made it easier for him to attend school while allowing him to study in a secure setting with other students. For Class 12 student Komendra from Rajbeda, around 22 km away, the hostel has eliminated the need to arrange private accommodation near his school.

Narayanpur Collector Namrata Jain also visited the hostel to review the facilities and assess the conditions in which students are living. During her inspection, she checked the accommodation areas and interacted with officials regarding food, security and other arrangements. The visit focused on ensuring that the newly converted facility is adequately supporting the students staying there.

According to the district administration, the conversion forms part of efforts to repurpose security infrastructure for public welfare after Abujhmad was declared Naxal-free. Officials said the Bhatpal camp has been utilised for the benefit of tribal students, providing them with accommodation closer to schools and reducing some of the difficulties associated with pursuing education from remote villages.

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