After encounter, vax drive in remote forests

Gumla: Thirty people on Wednesday took their first dose of the anti-Covid vaccine in villages under Chainpur block, where the security forces and Maoist rebels were involved in an encounter just two days ago. One rebel was shot dead in the operation on Monday.
Block development officer (BDO) Shishir Kumar Singh visited the Maoist-hit Marwa, Keragani and Kochagani villages under Kurumgarh police station to encourage terrified step out of home villagers to take the jabs. Singh said, “Initially, the villagers were reluctant to come over to the Marwa hilltop for vaccination, but I managed to persuade them. The Marwa village, where the encounter took place, has 40 families, mostly Mahatos and tribals.”
The residents complained to the officials about the lack of approach road and drinking water facilities before the visiting team headed to Kergani and Kochagani, where another 15 agreed to take the shot. "Tribals of remote forest regions have now begun to admit that the vaccines do not harm anyone," Singh said.
All panchayats sewaks have been asked to make weekly visit to these areas. Singh said he visited Sokrahau, Kolda and Budhokona villages in the same forested regions on Sunday to facilitate vaccination of 30 people.