This is what happens to naxals once they surrender!
- Three naxals surrendered before Chikmagaluru deputy commissioner on June 5
- While two of them have to fight cases registered against them on their own
- The government offers Rs 4 lakh and land to the surrendered naxals
FollowThe State government's effort to curb naxalism - a dreaded movement once in Chikmagaluru and Mangaluru, Udupi regions - and to bring those involved in the movement to the mainstream society has begun to bear fruit, slowly. On June 5, three naxals  - Suma, Kanyakumari and her husband Shivu - surrendered before the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police in Chikmagaluru. This is the second time in less than a year that naxals have come forward to shun violence. So 13 naxals have surrendered since 2010.
The big credit must go to the government and those striving to bring them to the mainstream of the society. The government's special package under the Karnataka Left Wing Extremisim Surrender and Rehabilitation project is said to be working in favour of the government's motive.
But what really are the options before these naxals who surrender after living a life of struggle amidst forests and gun? The government under its package offers cash and land. But are they really enough?
Cash award
Under the state government's rehabilitation project, those who surrender will get Rs 4 lakh in cash. But again the naxalites are classified into three categories - Red zone (listed underground members), grey zone (unlisted underground members) and green zone (informers and supporters), reports The Hindu. The surrender policy had Rs 1 lakh during its initial period (2010) but now it has been hiked to Rs 4 lakh. This is said to be a fair amount - to an extent - to build a life for themselves. Also, under the new modified surrender package, naxals who will surrender weapons like AK 47, AK 56s or AK 74 guns will get Rs 30,000 as compensation as against the earlier package of Rs 15,000. Besides, the surrender of machine guns will make them eligible for Rs 50,000 compensation. Those who will surrender pistols will get Rs 10,000 from mere Rs 3,000 package, reports The Indian Express.
Lands
The naxalites will also be provided lands - if they are interested in agriculture. Varale Jaya of Varale in Koppa taluk who had earlier surrendered now owns two acres of land, reports The Hindu. But many have to fight their own way to get the land, too.
Training in skill development
They can receive training from a variety of courses to help them build their lives. Training in textile industries and cottage industries are offered to the naxals. They are eligible to receive a stipend worth Rs 5,000 during their training, as well. Shivu, who was surrendered on June 5, hails from Bengaluru and is known to have worked in textiles. He and Kanyakumar have a six-month-old son. "We wanted to surrender for the future of our son," Shivu had told mediapersons in Chikmagaluru.
But the naxals have to fight their own cases pending against them and clear their charges. Seldom, the government agrees to drop the charges against them. Yet, there have been complaints that police allegedly do not let these surrendered naxals to lead a peaceful life. For, they have to report themselves at the local police station, every month. And they are always under the police's watch it is said.
