Berhampur: Top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who is imprisoned in circle jail, Berhampur, has successfully cleared Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology (MSO) under Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). He, along with another convict, appeared for the second year exam of MSO in Dec-Jan at a special centre in the jail, sources said.
The other prisoner, however, cleared only three out of four papers, sources added.
tnnThe Maoist leader — who is lodged in the Berhampur circle jail since his arrest from a residential house in Bada Bazar area of Berhampur on July 18, 2014, for his alleged involvement in over 130 Maoist-related cases in different districts — had also enrolled in MA (public administration) through Odisha State Open University (OSOU) last year.
While he cleared some papers in first year exams, he will appear for the second year exam along with the back papers this time, sources said.Panda had also completed his graduation through a correspondence course in IGNOU in Dec 2022 from the jail.Circle jail senior superintendent D N Barik said IGNOU and OSOU have opened their centres in the circle jail. After their enrolment, they prepared for the exam through self-study, while the jail authorities provided logistic support, he added.
While Panda was acquitted in several cases, a local court here had sentenced him to undergo life imprisonment on charge of waging war against the nation, source said.Sanatan Khillar, the jail teacher, said a total of 92 prisoners have enrolled for completing their school education — Class X (38) and Plus II (58) in National Institute of Open Schooling.
