Naxal package gathers dust

The surrender and rehabilitation package for Left Wing Extremists (LWE) implemented by the State government three years ago in an attempt to control Maoist activities in Karnataka, has made no advancements and the files are gathering dust at the offices, allegedly due to the negligence of rehabilitation programme officers and the elected representatives.

The main objective of the programme was to prevent violent activities caused by the Left extremists, change the mindset of youngsters who have chosen the wrong path and bring them to the mainstream. The then Secretary of State K C Siddhaiah had released the order on June 19, 2010 directing to implement the programme for a period of one year.

“Though the Home Minister and the Director General of Police have several times assured of continuing the programme for few more years, the government has not issued any order on the same. No efforts have been made by the officers to get the things done,” says Angeerasa from Save Democracy Campaign Forum.

The state-level committee consisting of Home Secretary, DG and IGP had formed district-level committees to implement the programme. Accordingly, Maoists were divided into three categories namely red category (Maoist members with one or more criminal cases against them), grey category (informer, one who passes letters about naxal activities and is the witness in criminal cases against Maoists) and green category (who helps in Maoists activities).

The responsibility was shouldered upon the Deputy Superintendent of Police or the higher level officers for surrendering the Maoists.

All the benefits under the surrender and rehabilitation package will be provided to those in the red category while Help aid scheme will be offered to those in grey category and leverage scheme will be offered to those included in green category. When the government announced the package for the first time in September 2010, a few active Maoists of Malnad region including Horale Jaya, Kunduru Mallika, Yadagunda Komala, Hagalaganchi Venkatesh had quit arms and joined the mainstream.

The cease-fire called by the government some four months ago too did not yield any fruits, rather it helped the Maoists to secure themselves by escaping from the Anti-naxal Force personnel.
Package facilities

Under the naxal surrender package, a loan up to Rs two lakh will be provided to those who wish to take up trade activities, Rs 2,000 stipend will be given to those who take up professional skill development trainings or any other trainings and same facility will also be provided to those who wish to continue education up to two years.

If the surrenders are deserving candidates, then they will be offered with piece of land and a complementary aid of Rs 50,000 to Rs 25,000 will be given to those who produce devastating weapons before the police.

ANF personnel who are involved in combing operations say that the government’s incapability to withdraw all the cases against Maoists after the surrender as per the prior assurances is the main reason for the failure in the effective implementation of naxal-package. “With Assembly elections fast approaching, the police officers are trying their best to get transfered to advantageous positions.

The combing operations have completely stopped in the last three months. There are some 25 Maoists still exist in the State and with the arrival of the election, they become active in the form of visiting remote villages, call for boycotting elections, distribution of pamphlets etc,” say the police sources.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, ANF IGP Alok Kumar said that the naxal package programme still exists. Though a few Maoists are interested to surrender before the government, they have not been able to do it due to the pressure from their senior leaders in the organisation. Combing operations have been continued in the forests, he said.