‘170 LWEs surrendered in two years’

In an indication of improvement in the Left-wing extremism (LWE) situation in Odisha, 170 cadres of the CPI(Maoist) have surrendered in past two years, said the Odisha government here on Monday.

Furnishing a reply in response to a query, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said highest 65 Left ultras had laid down their arms in southern district of Koraput while 42 surrendered in neighbouring Malkanagiri district during 2014-15 and 2015-16.

As many as 42 LWEs returned to mainstream in Sundargarh district during the period, Mr. Patnaik pointed out.

Surrendering of cadres was also reported in Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Jajpur, Deogarh, Angul, Sambalpur and Keonjhar.

According to Chief Minister, the State government had come out with first surrender policy in June 2006 and the same had been made attractive in 2014.

The first policy promised small amount of cash prize, besides other freebies like bank loans, housing plots and assistance for marriage. But in 2014, the government offered cash prize up to Rs.20 lakh to a few top Naxal leaders, including the central committee members of the CPI(Maoist).

Mr. Patnaik, who also holds the Home portfolio, informed the State Assembly that the government had spent Rs.2.90 crore for rehabilitation of these LWEs in 2014-15 and 2015-16.