Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh): Once a feared dacoit, accused of committing a number heinous crimes - around 75 murders and many kidnappings -Ramesh Singh Sikarwar is now a farmer living a simple life.
Now a frail old soft-spoken man in his 70's, it is difficult to imagine Singh as a dacoit operating in the ravines of Chambal for years.
The septuagenarian took up arms around the 1970s when he was in the 7th standard. Over a land dispute with his uncles, they falsely accused Sikarwar on the charges of stealing and got him arrested.
He said, "I bribed the police with Rs 400 and they released me. I went to Sheopur's Duvera village to take revenge from my uncles. I formed a gang and murdered one."
Ramesh Sikarwar and his gang absconded for more than a year, committed 75 murders and earned the title of a dacoit.
What made his surrender arms?
After spending years in the midst of the criminal muddle, Singh wanted to break away from the secluded lifestyle and made demands from the government.
After former CM Arjun Singh promised to their demands of getting Thirty acres of land, jobs for his children and license revolvers, Ramesh Singh Sikarwar and his gang surrendered in 1984. After spending 12 years in jail, they now live a quiet life in Madhya Pradesh's Lohrani village and practice farming in his ancestor's land.
Ramesh has constructed two huts on the farm and works as a farmer in his field. He carries a pistol with him for his self-defence.
Now, the residents of Lohrani village discuss their problems with Sikarwar and he is spending the rest of his life helping villagers of Sheopur.
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