Odisha Government enhances maoist surrender package to boost rehabilitation efforts

Bhubaneswar, Nov 28: The Odisha government has announced an enhanced surrender and rehabilitation package to encourage misguided youths associated with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and its frontal organisations to return to the mainstream. The initiative aims to rehabilitate former Maoists and reintegrate them into society, in line with central government efforts.

The revised package offers financial incentives based on both the type of weapon surrendered and the cadre’s rank. Maoists surrendering weapons will receive Rs 4.95 lakh for a Light Machine Gun, Rs 3.30 lakh for an AK-47, and Rs 1.65 lakh for an SLR rifle. Those carrying a Rs 10 lakh reward will be entitled to an additional Rs 5 lakh.

Rank-based incentives include Rs 1.10 crore for Politburo and Central Committee members, Rs 55 lakh for State Committee and Special Zonal Committee members, Rs 33 lakh for Regional Committee members, Rs 27.5 lakh for Divisional Committee members, and Rs 22 lakh for lower-ranked Divisional Committee members. The government will also withdraw minor cases registered against surrendered Maoists.

According to the Home Department notification, all surrendered naxalites, with or without weapons, will receive Rs 25,000, in addition to weapon compensation. Those with a reward of Rs 5 lakh or more will get an extra Rs 10 lakh, deposited as a fixed deposit in the district SP’s bank, with interest paid to the individual. This move is designed to promote voluntary surrender and facilitate rehabilitation.