Five villagers killed in Jharkhand; Government approves surrender policy for Naxals
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    • Five villagers were shot dead by the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) at Pundigiri, 45 kilometers from Ranchi, on September 7. According to police sources, the Maoists raided Pundigiri village on the night of September 6 and abducted the five villagers and took them to a forest where they were shot dead. The bodies were recovered on September 71.

    The Union government meanwhile on September 7 approved a programme offering monetary incentives for Naxalites under a new surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. The new policy is a part of the multi-pronged strategy to bring Naxalites back into the mainstream in the backdrop of rising violence. Chattisgarh, Jharkand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar are among the states in which the new policy will be implemented.

    As part of the policy, a grant of Rs. 1.5 lakh will be deposited in a bank in the name of the surrendered naxalite as a fixed deposit which may be withdrawn by him/her after completion of three years, subject to good behaviour, which will be certified by the authorities designated for this purpose by the states concerned. This money can also be utilised as collateral security/margin money against loans to be availed of by the surrendered militant from any bank for self-employment.

    Persons eligible under the scheme may also be imparted training in a trade/vocation of their liking or befitting their aptitude. They shall be paid a monthly stipend of Rs. 2,000 each for a maximum period of 36 months. However, if the surrendered extremist secures any employment in government or any gainful self-employment, the monthly stipend will be discontinued. The Home Ministry has also offered money incentives for surrender of weapons. The guidelines are applicable to those Naxals who surrender with or without arms2.

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