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Nagpur: Maharashtra Government’s Naxal surrender policy seems to be yielding positive results as 591 Maoists, including 572 in the hotbed Gadchiroli district alone, chose the path of peace and surrendered before the police in the past 12 years. Other places from where the Naxals surrendered include Gondia, Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts. Most of the surrendered left extremists have been rehabilitated.
The Maharashtra Government had launched the Naxal surrender policy on August 29, 2005 which has been extended time and again till date. The policy saw a major success within a month as the dreaded Maoist Madanayya alias Balna Balayya gave up the arms on September 25, 2005. Among the 591 Naxals who have surrendered are one State Zonal Committee member, six divisional committee members, 24 commanders, 27 deputy commanders, 294 Dalam members besides 115 Gramrakshak, 124 Sangam members.
The Special Inspector General (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sharad Shelar said that the State Government is implementing the Naxal surrender policy with the aim of bringing the Maoists into mainstream. Cops fighting the left extremists are focusing communication with the Naxals. The outcome is that a large number of Naxals are giving up the arms and living a peaceful, happy life. The surrendered Naxal were being rehabilitated by providing them residential plots and employment. Other Naxals should also take a cue from the surrendered Maoists and accept democratic way of life, Shelar appealed.
