In Bundelkhand, dacoits still call the shots

R.B. Singh, assistant professor of social work at the BR Ambedkar Institute of Social Sciences, explained why Bundelkhand is a rich breeding ground for dacoits. "A lack of entrepreneurial spirit, the love of an easy life, a feudalistic social order and the acceptance of corruption have contributed to taking to crime a viable option", he said.

The lack of livelihood options is compounded by the fact that the Bundelkhand region, comprising seven districts of Uttar Pradesh and six of Madhya Pradesh, has been under the spell of a persistent drought since 2004-05.

Low levels of education, the absence of industry and an agrarian crisis have resulted in the region doing poorly on socio-economic indicators.

The unique geographical situation -- barren tracks, a maze of ravines, forests that fall on both sides of the borders -- have made it a haven for dacoits who, according to some historical accounts, trace their origins to the Rajput kings who ruled the region but were forced into hiding by Muslim invaders.

The region goes to the polls April 30.