Quite a few Maoists have surrendered and many more want to, said West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee here on Thursday, a day after the State government issued a notification on its surrender policy for left-wing-extremists.
He said that the Central forces engaged in security operations to flush out Maoists from Jangalmahal (the forest areas spanning the three south-western districts affected by extremist activity) would stay on in the region till their task was over.
Mr. Bhattacharjee, who was replying to questions in the Assembly on the situation in the Maoist-affected areas, said that he had discussed the matter with the Centre which had the same view.
Thirty-five companies of Central forces deployed in the region were conducting the operations against the Maoists along with the State Armed Police.
The Trinamool Congress, the State's main Opposition party, has been demanding a halt to security operations against the Maoists in the region.
The Maoists who surrender will be provided by the State government Rs.1.50 lakh in fixed deposits each, besides a monthly fund of Rs.2,000 that will be given for three years together with vocational training.
The government had, on Wednesday, issued a notification for a surrender-cum- rehabilitation scheme detailing the benefits to be provided to those giving themselves up.
The authorities have been asked to initiate action for extensive publicity of the scheme in Al Chiki and Bengali in areas where the Maoists have been active.
On the present situation in the Jangalmahal region, the Chief Minister said that peace was returning, following security operations. Changes for the better had been noticed in the Goaltore and Salboni areas of Paschim Medinipur district among other places.
‘Lack of security'
Different government departments have begun development work in the affected region, but problems were being faced in the Binpur I and II blocks of Paschim Medinipur district because of lack of security, Mr. Bhattacharjee said.
School students were now coming out in protest against the forced closure of schools. This was creating an unstable situation and the district authorities had been instructed to look into the problem and take steps to reopen the schools.
More hostels for students and medical camps were being set up, he added.
