JOIN USJust days after the State government announced a revised and lucrative financial package for naxalites who give up arms, the Maoists executed the kidnapping of the two Italians, now followed by a third kidnap of a Biju Janata Dal party MLA.
The new package replaced an old scheme notified in June, 2006 and primarily aimed at attracting younger cadres of the Maoist organisations wanting to return to the mainstream and begin life afresh.
The package
* Rs 2.5 lakh cash compensation for a hardcore Maoist on surrender; Rs 1 lakh for other cadres (earlier Rs 10,000 for both categories).
* Only Rs 50,000 of the compensation amount will be paid on surrender; remaining amount will be kept in a fixed deposit and paid on completion of three years, subject to good conduct and do not return to Maoist fold.
* Additional Rs 25,000 for surrender of arms and ammunition.
* Rs 25,000 “marriage incentive” to surrendered Maoists wishing to tie the knot.
* Provision for stipend of Rs 2000 a month for vocational training and Rs 3000 a month for higher studies; free medical care in government hospitals.
Some analysts believe that the kidnap the two foreigners could have been aimed at diverting young naxal cadres’ attention from the lucrative new financial package offered by the state government.
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