Fighting Naxals cost ` 5.46 crore to state government

Do you know how much it has cost the government to fight Naxals for over one decade?

It’s Rs 5,46,54,036, according to the data furnished by the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP), Anti-Naxal Force, Udupi district.

The information retrieved under Right to Information Act in March 2012, states that more than paying the force, what has cost the authorities more is non-salary expenditure. From the year 2000 till 2011, an amount of Rs 1,86,52,568 has been spent on salaries, while Rs 3,60,01,468 has been spent on non-salary expenditure — taking the total to Rs 5.46 crore.

Chikamaglur, Shimoga, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada have been identified as Naxal-affected districts. Till 2010, 16 Naxals — including three women — have been killed in different operations. Interestingly, none have surrendered, while three police personnel have laid down their lives fighting against the vigilante group.

They are: Venkatesh, ASI, Shimoga; Guruprasad M N, constable attached to KSRP fifth battalion, Mysore; and M S Mane, constable attached to ninth battalion of KSRP, Bangalore.

Though the reasons behind Naxalism is an open secret, the government says Naxals are making all efforts to find ground in Karnataka like in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

To make it a success, they are identifying places where people lack basic amenities and facilities.

According to information provided by the Anti-Naxal Force, there is hardly any response from the other side.

If any person surrenders seeking rehabilitation, he or she will be entitled for incentives in the range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 — against each weapons.

For detonators Rs 10, electronic detonators Rs 50, grenade (hand or stick) Rs 500 for each, explosive material Rs 1,000 per kg, IED Rs 1,000 each, wireless set Rs 1,000 for short range, rockets Rs 1,000 per weapon, remote control device Rs 3,000 per device, mines Rs 3,000, pistol or revolver Rs 3,000 per weapon, wireless (long range) Rs 5,000 per set, satellite phone R 10,000, AK 47/56 or 74 rifle Rs 15,000 per weapon, SAM missiles Rs 20,000, UMG, GPM, RPG and sniper rifle Rs 25,000 per weapon.