Two Maoist activists who had surrendered earlier this year in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district were held by the city police outside the residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here on Saturday.
The men had gone there to inquire about the rehabilitation package the State government had promised to Left-wing extremists who lay down their arms.
“They had certain queries like the monetary help which was promised to them. They are simple people and had come to inquire about their rehabilitation package. They were granted a meeting with Ms. Banerjee,” said Basudeb Banerjee, State’s Home Secretary.
The State government’s rehabilitation package for the surrendered Maoists includes Rs. 1.5 lakh to be deposited in their respective back accounts a year after their surrender. Providing them with a job is another component of the package.
To be made home guards?
“They were informed that Rs. 1.5 lakh will be deposited in their account after a year. We are also trying to get them into the home guard service,” said Mr. Banerjee.
The two men, Sukdeb Mahato and Chiranjeet Mahato, surrendered on January 12 and February 7 respectively in the Jhargram area of Paschim Medinipur district. They were in the Midnapore police line since then.
The men were spotted outside the Chief Minister’s residence in the south of the city at around 10 a.m. and taken to the local Kalighat police station for interrogation.
It was then the police got to know that they were former Maoists who wished to meet Ms. Banerjee regarding the rehabilitation package.
