Bengal police implement rehabilitation package for Maoists

KOLKATA - The implementation of a rehabilitation package for Left wing extremists who surrender to security forces was initiated Sunday in Maoist-affected areas in three western districts of West Bengal, police said.

“Leaflets written in Bengali and Santhali languages containing the information about the package were distributed in certain areas today and we are hopeful of getting some response from Maoists soon,” Jhargram district’s Superintendent of Police Praveen Tripathi said.

During the day, leaflets were distributed in Jhargram, Binpur, Belpahari and Manikpara, which are the areas of focus as of now, he said.

As per the package, based on guidelines formulated by the union home ministry, Maoists who surrender would get a monthly stipend of Rs.2,000 for a period of three years, while the state government would make a fixed deposit of Rs.1.5 lakh for three years for each.

Once the fixed deposit matures, the entire money would be handed over to the rebel if he shows good conduct for three years.

“This is the right time for the rehabilitation package to be introduced here as some of the locals have begun cooperating with police. The success of the scheme will depend on how the police implement it and it may ensure further support of the people,” West Midnapore Superintendent of Police Manoj Verma said.

“Leaflets published in Hindi language will also be circulated shortly and if situation demands we may use choppers to distribute the leaflets,” said Verma.

“Police had received feelers from at least eight Maoist cadres about their desire to return to the mainstream and at the same time villagers had begun sharing useful information about the whereabouts of the rebels,” he said.

“If we are able to arrest the top leadership in the next few months the people will be on the side of the police,” he added.