Dantewada, Jan 30
Impressed by the rehabilitation drive ‘Lon Varratu’, as many as 16 naxals, two of them carrying cash reward, surrendered before police and the officials of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in insurgency-hit Dantewada district on Saturday.
Impressed by the rehabilitation drive ‘Lon Varratu’ and disappointed with the “hollow” ideology of naxals, the lower-rank cadres, who were active in Bacheli and Kirandul areas of the district, quit the naxal-movement, said Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Pallava.
So far, as many as 288 ultras have surrendered in the district under ‘Lon Varratu’ (return to your home/village) campaign, launched in June last year, SP Pallava elaborated.
SP Pallava further informed that the surrendered cadres also took part in a ‘Tiranga’ (tricolour) rally with the police and planted saplings, while a seminar was held to commemorate the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary. Of the 16 surrendered naxals, Madkam Hurra (28), a Maoist militia commander, and Hunga Barsa (35), the head of the local unit of Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan (the frontal wing of Maoist), were carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh each on their heads.
As many as 14 surrendered cadres were hailing from Madkamiras village, added SP Pallava.
Each of the surrendered ultras was given an immediate assistance of Rs 10000, and they will be provided additional facilities as per the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, SP Pallava said.
Notably, under the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign, Dantewada police have put up posters and banners in native villages of 1,600 naxals, mostly those carrying cash rewards on their heads, and appealed to them to return to the mainstream. Surrendered cadres are also being provided skill development training in different disciplines for their rehabilitation as a part of the drive.
 in insurgency-hit Dantewada district on Saturday.){kind=link}