The State government has issued orders for ‘Madhya Pradesh Naxalite Surrender, Rehabilitation cum Relief Policy-2023’.
Along with the guidelines of the Government of India, a new policy has been issued after studying the policies of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
Till now action was being taken in the state in accordance with the policy implemented 26 years ago in 1997, for the surrender and rehabilitation cum relief of Naxalites.
The main objective of the new policy is to bring those Left Wing Extremists into the mainstream, who want to voluntarily surrender by renouncing the path of violence.
Also the aim is to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to the surrendered Naxalites and also to discourage those elements who surrender tactically to get benefits provided by the government and for their vested interests.
The new policy also includes provisions for providing relief to the victims of Naxalite violence.
A provision has also been made to appoint a constable in the district police force with the approval of senior police officers, if there is a threat to the life of a person who has given special cooperation in the anti-Naxal campaign.
The new policy will be applicable to those Naxalites who have criminal cases against them, who are important functionaries or cadre members of banned organizations and who want to surrender voluntarily with or without arms.
The surrenderer has to give the real names and identities of the workers, members and associates of the organization for whom he had been working.
He has to give information about the actual position of funds, couriers, overground works, sources of weapons, illegal fund etc.
He has to clearly admit the criminal acts committed by him.
Along with this, a public statement of voluntary surrender will also have to be given.
The State Level Inquiry Committee constituted for surrender will have to take a decision within 30 days regarding the acceptance or rejection of the proposal of the surrenderer.
The surrenderer will get the benefit of the new policy only on the basis of the recommendation of the inquiry committee.
There will be District Level Committees in naxal affected districts
According to the new policy, there will be ‘District Level Rehabilitation and Relief Committee’ in Naxalite affected districts identified by the state government.
The district magistrate will be the chairman of the committee and superintendent of police will be the member secretary.
The Chief Executive Officer, District Panchayat, Divisional Forest Officer, General Manager of District Industry Center and District Project Officer of State Rural Livelihood Mission will be members in the committee.
Rehabilitation facilities
On depositing LMG, GPMG, RPG, sniper rifle, other similar weapons by the surrendering person, an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4.50 lakh will be given per weapon.
On depositing AK-47/56/74 rifle, SLR, carbine, .303 rifle, an ex-gratia amount of Rs 3.5 lakh per weapon will be given.
On depositing rockets, grenades, hand grenades, stick grenades, IEDs, electronic detonators and other detonators, an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 thousand per piece will be given.
Provision of ex-gratia amount of Rs 3 thousand per device has been made in the new policy on depositing remote control devices, wireless sets, satellite phones, VHF, HF sets.
On depositing a pistol or revolver, Rs 20 thousand will be given per weapon. Ex-gratia of 10 thousand will be given at one time for depositing all types of ammunition, explosives and Rs. 20 thousand at one time for depositing all types of mines.
Apart from this, surrendering person will also get an assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh for building a house on the recommendation of the committee.
In the absence of a living husband or wife, if the surrendering person is willing to get married, Rs 50 thousand will be given as incentive.
The surrendering person will be given Rs 5 lakh by the district level committee or the amount of the award declared on him on the designation held by him in the concerned organization (whichever is higher) as incentive amount. Rs 50 thousand will be given in 7 days, the remaining amount will be deposited in the joint fixed account of the Superintendent of Police and the surrendering person.
On satisfactory conduct, an amount of one lakh rupees per year will be given to the surrendering person by the Superintendent of Police.
A grant of Rs 20 lakh will be given to the surrendering person to purchase immovable property, land etc. Rs 1.5 lakh will be paid for vocational training according to his interest.
The surrendering person will be eligible to get food grains at the minimum rate prescribed under the prevailing food aid scheme in the state and will also get the benefit of Ayushman Yojana.
The trial of the heinous crimes committed by the surrendering person will continue in the courts.
In the light of the antecedents and merits of the surrendering person, the decision regarding withdrawal of prosecution will be taken by the State Government on a case-to-case basis in public interest.
Relief to the family suffering from Naxalism
The family suffering from Naxalism will get relief as per eligibility on the recommendation of District Level Rehabilitation and Relief Committee.
In case of death in violence, Rs 15 lakh will be given to the victim’s family per deceased person, Rs 20 lakh ex-gratia amount to the family of the martyred security personnel.
This amount will be in addition to the assistance scheme for martyred security personnel of the state or central government.
An ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh will be given in case of physical disability of a person/security personnel in Naxal violence.
In case of death in Naxal violence, one member of the Naxal victim’s family will be appointed by the District Magistrate on the basis of minimum educational qualification on the post of Grade-3, Class Three or Class Four. Rs 1.5 lakh will be given for complete damage to the house, Rs 50 thousand for partial damage. Besides, the benefits of Food Assistance Scheme and Ayushman Bharat Scheme will also be available.
