Operation to neutralise Naxals on in Bastar

Chhattisgarh government has adopted a twin-strategy to neutralise Leftwing extremism in the conflict zone of Bastar in the state.

While Naxals have been wooed with attractive sops including, an offer to absorb them in state government jobs if they surrendered, security forces have launched a major offensive against Maoists in Bastar.

Chief minister Raman Singh on Wednesday announced a revised rehabilitation police for surrendered Naxals as well as victims of Maoist violence promising them jobs in the state government.

The state cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of the chief minister decided to dismiss all the criminal cases pending against Naxals found to be indulged in violence and absorb them in government jobs if they surrendered.

The cabinet also decided to make relaxation of age and qualifications to accommodate the surrendered Naxals in government jobs. They would be given a reasonable period to acquire required qualifications after they joined the job. Surrendered Naxals, who have completed only primary education, would be absorbed in class four jobs in both the police and administration in the government.

The revised rehabilitation policy also announced provision of monetary and other benefits.

Interestingly, the unveiling of the revised rehabilitation policy for surrendered Naxals coincided with a stern warning issued by Bastar inspector general of police S.R.P Kalluri to Maoists in which he said that the Maoists should either lay down arms or face consequences.

“We have launched major counter-insurgency operations in some parts of Bastar. The anti-Maoist offensive would be extended to rest of Bastar very soon. Our aim is to strike at Maoist leadership”, Mr Kalluri told reporters.

District Reserve Guard personnel, constituting local tribals, are already back after training in jungle warfare and are engaged in operations, he added.