Double Reward on Mass Surrender of Naxalite; Rs 1 Crore Development Work in Naxal-Free Villages

RAIPUR,CG(INDIA): In a significant move to curb Naxalite activities in Chhattisgarh, the state government has introduced a new surrender policy with special incentives aimed at encouraging Naxalites to return to the mainstream. Framed under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the policy offers double the declared reward to those who surrender in groups, along with substantial development benefits for their villages.

According to the new policy, if 80 percent or more active members of any Naxal formation unit surrender together, they will be eligible for twice the amount of the reward announced against them. In addition, if all Naxalite and militia members in a Gram Panchayat area surrender and the area is officially declared Naxal-free, the government will sanction development works worth Rs 1 crore in that Panchayat. The provision will apply particularly in severely affected districts such as Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Kanker.

The policy also makes special provisions for married Naxalites. If both husband and wife surrender, they will be treated as separate units for rehabilitation benefits, unless any specific scheme defines them otherwise. Each will receive individual consideration for the reward and assistance amounts.

The financial relief and assistance for surrendered Naxalites will come from the Home Department’s budget. The policy mandates that the District Collector ensure the full amount is disbursed to the individual within ten days of surrender. In cases where criminal charges already exist against a surrendered person, a sub-committee of the Council of Ministers may consider dropping these charges, provided the individual has shown good conduct and contributed to anti-Naxal efforts for at least six months.