In a renewed effort to integrate Maoists into mainstream society and steer them away from violence, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has extended an offer of rehabilitation to the Maoists. Sharma has invited Maoists to provide their suggestions and feedback on the State’s Rehabilitation Policy, emphasising the government’s openness to consider their needs and preferences. Addressing the Maoists directly, Deputy Chief Minister Sharma stated, “Maoists should tell us what they want in their rehabilitation policy.” To facilitate this dialogue, the government has issued a dedicated email ID and a Google form, encouraging Maoists to share their views and suggestions. This initiative was launched in Jagdalpur, signaling the government’s serious intent to engage with the Maoist community and develop a rehabilitation policy that aligns with their expectations.

 

While discussing with the journalists, Sharma said that they and the society are capable of solving this problem of Naxalism. The government itself admits that operation is not the main subject and this is a very small part of the government’s efforts. The main effort of the government is to develop the affected area and do the work of social, cultural and economic development of the tribal area. At the same time, it is working for the youth who have left the Naxalite ideology and been rehabilitated and is carrying forward the plan for their all-round development. Sharma has asked the Naxalite leaders who instigate the youth that even in countries like China there is Maoism but there is zero social, religious, economic and personal freedom there, do they want such a state.

 

Sharma said that the rehabilitation policy of Chhattisgarh is very good but to improve it, he is ready to go to any state and study, but the main issue is that neither the officials, nor the journalists, nor the government should surrender. Neither the people sitting in the government nor the common people, have to surrender to the Maoists and this initiative is for them to tell themselves what their rehabilitation policy should be. BJP State President Kiran Singh Deo, Bastar District President Roop Singh Mandavi, Chitrakoot MLA Vinayak Goyal, senior journalist Subhau Kashyap were present in the meeting.