'Lon Varratu' campaign changes life of former rebels of Chhattisgarh

The police in insurgency-hit Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh have launched a novel initiative to encourage Naxals to give up arms and join the mainstream by urging them to return to their villages. And this campaign holds hope for several Naxal-hit districts of Chhattisgarh. As many as 127 Naxalites, who had surrendered in different strife-torn districts of the conflict zone, recently passed out along with others as constables and they have joined the mainstream.

Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh): Chhattisgarh government's 'Lon Varratu' initiative has gained considerable success with the surrender of over 400 Maoists, looking to return to mainstream following disillusionment with the ideology of the banned outfit.

Lon Varratu is a term from the local dialect and it means ‘return to your village’.

Under this rehabilitation scheme of the Chhattisgarh government, as many as 127 Maoists, who had surrendered before the police, acquired training become part of the police force.

Citing the success of Lon Varratu initiative, Inspector general of Bastar, Sunderraj. P said, "After the formation of Chhattisgarh state, till now a total of 4000 Naxalites from the entire Bastar division have surrendered and are associated with the rehabilitation policy of the government. Of these, a total of 400 Naxalites have surrendered in the 'Lone Varratu' campaign, which was started 6 months ago in Dantewada district itself."

"The Bastar police are also giving jobs to the Naxalites who surrender under the 'Lon Varrattu' campaign, and for this, they are being trained and involved in anti-Naxal operations. As the police are getting great success under 'Lon Varrattu' campaign in Dantewada district, this campaign will be started in other Naxal hit districts of Chhattisgarh," he said.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallava said that the cadres were drawn to the rehabilitation campaign being run by the local police and had given up the Maoist ideology.

"Under the Lon Varratu initiative, the surrendered ultras have been rehabilitated as per the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, which includes financial assistance. Posters asking Maoists to surrender have been put up by the police in their hotbeds in the state since the launch of the programme in June. The posters mention the names of rebels and appeal to them to join the mainstream," he said.