By IANS,
Ranchi: The Jharkhand government is not concerned about the security of surrendered Maoists and is not implementing welfare schemes meant for their families, a top police officer claimed Sunday.
“Our request to segregate surrendered Maoists in jail went in vain. The surrendered Maoists are threatened by other hardcore guerrillas. The hardcore Maoists try their best to bring back the surrendered Maoists back into the organisation,” the police officer told IANS on condition of anonymity.
According to him, several requests made by the Jharkhand Police to initiate welfare measures for the family members of surrendered Maoists have not been heeded to. At time of surrender, each Maoist is provided only Rs.50,000 cash. Their families hardly get benefits of welfare schemes meant for them.
Under the welfare schemes, the kin of surrendered rebels are entitled to land and other facilities to lead a normal life
“As per law, we have to sent the surrendered Maoists to jail. It is the duty of the government to lure more Maoists by extending benefits of the welfare schemes to family members,” the officer added.
In the last one year, more than 33 hardcore Maoist guerrillas have surrendered in Jhrakhand.
The state government also failed to utilise Maoists-turned-lawmakers in the campaign against the rebels.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Kameshwar Biatha and legislator Polush Surin, after being released from jail this year, appealed to Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream society.
A day after Baitha was released in April, his ancestral houses in Palamau district was bombed by the guerrillas.
“There could be larger impact of appeals made by ex-Maoist leaders if used widely by the state government. Such appeals may desist those people who are inclined towards Maoists,” another police officer told IANS.
About 18 of the 24 districts in Jharkhand have a significant Maoist presence.