27 Maoists to be rehabilitated

KEONJHAR: The Keonjhar administration has taken steps to rehabilitate 27 Maoists under the state government's new surrender and rehabilitation policy that came into force in February 2012. At a recent meeting, 24 out of 27 rebels discussed with officers about the benefits of the scheme like financial package of Rs 2.5 lakh, stipend of Rs 2,000 a month for three years for vocational training, house building assistance, Rs 25,000 for marriage, Rs 3,000 per annum for pursuing studies and payment of reward money declared on them. SP (Keonjhar) Ashish Singh said except land and loan some of the surrendered Maoists have already availed benefits provided under the rehabilitation scheme of 2006. The surrendered Maoists who have availed benefits in the earlier policy have also been included in the new policy to attract more Red rebels to surrender, he said. The new surrender policy has an edge over the old one because it gives more compensation money, stipend to all and more house building grant, etc, he added.
"We have recommended names of 21 surrendered Maoists to the government to be rehabilitated under the new scheme. They will get the benefits soon. We have withdrawn charges against them during filing of chargesheet in the court. In some cases, we have written to the government for withdrawal of cases pending against them," the SP said.
Belu Munda, a tribal of Rebanapalaspal, who left extremist activities, said she was happy to be with her husband and son. After surrendering she married at Pandapada. "I do not want to remember the dark period. We spent sleepless nights in the forests running from hill to hill with gun and heavy luggage and without food," she said, adding, "Now we are getting food and sleeping peacefully."