The Hindu : Other States / Jharkand News : 'Surrender policy' for naxals planned

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Tuesday, Jun 22, 2004

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Other States - Jharkand

'Surrender policy' for naxals planned

RAIPUR, JUNE 21. In keeping with the steps taken by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand to curb naxal menace and create conducive atmosphere for dialogue, Chhattisgarh government has decided to soon bring out a ``surrender policy'' for the ultras to solve the three decade-old problem.

``A surrender policy is being drafted for the naxalites that is obstructing development in more than half of 16 districts of the state'', top police department sources told PTI here today.

The new BJP regime in the state has studied the three-decade-old naxalite problem and decided to bring out a `surrender policy' to enable them to lay down arms, the sources said.

Several rounds of discussion have been held over the matter by the government and the concerned departments as well as the steps taken by the neighbouring states, on the basis of which the policy has been drafted, they said.

Refusing to elaborate further, the sources said depending on the arms being laid down and prizes on the heads of the ultras, the naxalites could be `rehabilitated financially'.

Andhra Pradesh has announced a ceasefire and withdrawn its forces engaged against ultras for three months while Jharkhand government has hinted at similar steps with PWG expressing readiness for talks.

When both Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand formulated policies, Chhattisgarh also thought of giving a chance to the naxalites to come to the mainstream of the state, they said.

``We are also expecting that the naxalites who wanted to get married or are having a fight with their commanders to take advantage of this policy and lay down arms,'' they said.

-- PTI

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'Surrender policy' for naxals planned