Waking up to the Naxal threat, the state government is firming up a surrender and rehabilitation policy for the ultras to be presented before the Union Home Ministry, which has called a meeting of Naxal-affected states in Delhi on August 7.

The IG (Law and Order), A P Maheshwari, who is the nodal officer for Naxal-affected districts of Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli, said: “We have planned a surrender policy for the Naxals and their subsequent rehabilitation in society. The policy is already successful in Andhra Pradesh and the Central government provides fund for it.”

A delegation from the state government is going to seek a special package from the Centre for the three districts under Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Security Related Expenditure (SRE) and a modernisation plan. The Centre releases fund under these schemes for Naxal-hit areas.

After collecting details of the survey done in the Naxal-hit areas by the state intelligence and the local police, officials from the state home department and the DGP (headquarters) have drafted a plan, which includes operational upgrade and the development work to be done in the affected areas to win over the locals.

Maheshwari said district police chiefs have nominated special police officers among the locals in the Naxal-affected areas to help communicate with the ultras. These SPOs are provided with vehicles and get a stipend under the SRE scheme.

The senior police officer said help from some NGOs would also be taken in persuading Naxals to surrender. Under the central government schemes, those Naxals who surrender get Rs 3 lakh deposited in their bank account. They cannot withdraw the amount before three years, but can take a loan against the deposit any time, Maheshwari added.

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