The police have received indications that many rebels in the Left-wing extremism (LWE) affected areas in West Bengal are willing to surrender and return to the mainstream of life.
This development comes as the calendar turns, in a year of joint security operations. The government has also rolled out a special package over and above the national and State-level schemes for focussed development of the extremist affected blocks.
The State government announced on Thursday that as a special gesture, the cases of persons now in police custody would be reviewed so that those facing minor charges might be released on bail. It also decided to implement the surrender and rehabilitation package of the Union Home Ministry for those who lay down their arms and agree to join the mainstream.
Director-General of Police Bhupinder Singh told The Hindu , in reply to a query, “We have received feelers that a number of people are willing to surrender. However, I can give you neither any numbers nor other details at this juncture.”
In addition to a grant of Rs. 1.5 lakh, the surrendered Naxal would get a stipend of Rs. 2,000 for three years during which he might be imparted training in a trade or vocation. There would be a separate package for laying down arms, ranging from Rs. 25,000 for a sniper rifle to Rs. 1,000 for every kg of explosive, Mr. Singh said.
A press note issued by the Office of the Chief Secretary said the government decided to accept the Centre's guidelines on the surrender and rehabilitation of Naxalites.
A special cell headed by a senior officer will be created in the office of the district magistrate for planning and implementation of the special package of development in Paschim Medinipur. In the two other LWE-affected districts — Bankura and Purulia — a senior officer will be specially entrusted with the job.
The government said persons released on bail would be kept under watch and if they maintained good behaviour, they would be “appropriately helped in the matter of rehabilitation.”
The scheme entails giving rice at Rs. 2 a kg to all ST families with an annual income not exceeding Rs. 24,000. Women students will be provided with a cycle for continuing their studies. One hostel each for boys and girls would be set up in Jhargram and Medinipur. The capacity of existing hostels in the Jangalmahal area in three districts would be augmented. A number of vocational training centres would set up while upgrading the polytechnic and ITI at Jhargram.
Five rural piped water supply schemes would be commissioned in each of the LWE blocks and mini-deep tubewells sunk at suitable locations to boost agriculture in these areas, many of which are arid. Mobile medical camps would also be set up in the affected blocks.
According to the Central package, the Rs. 1.5-lakh grant will be in the form of a fixed deposit which can be used as collateral for bank loans needed for self-employment. The stipend will be paid for three years, but stopped if the surrenderee gets a government job. The benefits for surrendering arms, IEDs, mines are wireless sets will be additional.
