Officials are overstepping their jurisdiction by parading innocent villagers as surrendered supporters of Left Wing Extremist groups, alleged human rights activists here on Sunday.
Referring to hundreds of people surrendering before Malkanagiri district police, human rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo, who drew attention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on this issue, said: “Laying of arms by extremists is governed by State’s a surrender policy of 2014. The surrender scheme is applicable only to militants or extremists or naxalites who either have criminal records or known to be important office bearers or known cadres of the banned organizations”
Eligibility criteria
“In case large number of surrenders in Malakangiri districts, there are no case pending against majority of villagers. People have right to know under which categories the surrendered cadres in question are covered under eligibility criteria of the government prescribed scheme. Whether they are involved in heinous crimes or will the prosecution of these people continue in the court? Was the said surrender process in consonance with the objectives of the scheme?” asked the activist.
Echoing similar concerns, Narendra Mohanty, State convenor of Campaign Against Fabricated Cases, said the State government must institute an inquiry if villagers those were surrendering before police were doing so under threat or voluntarily.
Both activists were of the view if district administration treated them as LWEs, then they were entitled for all benefits provided in State’s a surrender policy of 2014.
“Earlier, similar shows were staged in Narayanpatna area. Now, it is replicated in Malkanagiri. Police officials are using innocent villagers to brighten their career prospects,” alleged Mr. Mohanty.
