Over 65 Naxals 'return home' under Chhattisgarh Police's unique campaign

Under the Chhattisgarh Police's unique 'loan varatu' (returning home) campaign, over 65 Naxals have laid down their arms and surrendered in the past 20 days. Many of the surrendered Naxals had bounties worth lakhs of rupees on their heads.

Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh):The Chhattisgarh Police's 'Loan Varatu' campaign seems to be yielding extremely positive results, as over 65 Naxals have surrendered in the past 20 days.

The campaign was started from Chikpal village under the Katekalyan police station limits of Dantewada district 20 days back. Till now, more than 65 Naxals have laid down their arms and surrendered before the police. Among them are many Naxals who had a bounty on their head worth lakhs of rupees.

In a bid to bring Naxals of the local cadre back in the mainstream, the Chhattisgarh police had started the unique initiative in Dantewada. The campaign was named 'Loan Varatu' which means 'returning back home' in the local dialect.

Under the campaign, police personnel have been visiting every village to spread awareness. Phone numbers of police officers are also being given to the villagers so that Naxals who wish to surrender may contact them directly.

Following the surrender, the Naxals are also being provided with employment opportunities. Bastar IG Sundararaj P said that the district police and administration are now working towards providing employment to the surrendered Naxals.

Read:Two Naxals killed by colleagues in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada

Under the campaign, surrendered Naxals will not only have the option to get a job in the police but based on their interest and skills, a policy has been made to provide all support to them for the employment of their choice.

Recently, Naxals who surrendered on July 8 in Bade Gujra had asked for a tractor for farming. Self-help groups were formed and the tractors were made available to them by the administration.

Apart from this, the police department has also made a policy that villages where more than 10 Naxals surrender, will be provided with agricultural tools and tractors by the administration.

It is pertinent to note that the police had earlier in 2005 also run campaigns to get urge Naxals to surrender. The reward amount has also been increased time to time under the rehabilitation policy made by the state government.

Read:Woman Naxal with Rs 5 lakh reward surrenders in Bastar