Naxalite surrender, victim relief & rehabilitation policy comes into force
   Date :11-Apr-2025

naxal arms
 
Staff Reporter
 
RAIPUR, 
 
IN a decisive move aimed at bringing lasting peace to Naxal-affected regions, the Chhattisgarh Government has formally implemented the Naxalite Surrender/Victim Relief & Rehabilitation Policy-2025, setting the stage for an extensive and time-bound action plan to support surrendered Naxals and those impacted by Maoist violence. A notification issued by the Home Department on March 28 outlines the structure for the policy’s execution and mandates the formation of district-level special committees under the chairmanship of respective Collectors. These panels are tasked with ensuring swift and effective delivery of benefits to the target groups, surrendered Naxalites as well as individuals and families who have suffered fatalities, grievous injuries, or permanent disabilities due to Left-Wing Extremist (LWE) violence.
 
The notification specifies that the Superintendent of Police in each district will function as the secretary of the committee. Other members will include the Divisional Forest Officer, Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Panchayat, two officers nominated by the Collector, and representatives from the security forces deployed in the region. To ensure decentralised monitoring, a nodal officer will be appointed at both the district and sub-divisional levels. Their contact information, including mobile numbers and email addresses, will be shared with the State Government for streamlined communication and oversight. These officers will supervise the end-to-end implementation of relief and rehabilitation efforts. Crucially, the Home Department has instructed that all cases of victims affected by Naxalism, dating back to the inception of State, be identified and prioritised for benefits.
 
This includes tracking of past incidents where civilians, government employees, or others have suffered due to Naxal-related violence. To facilitate data-driven governance, a dedicated portal is being developed under the policy framework. The portal will host individual records of both victims and surrendered Naxalites, each tagged with a unique identification number. Officers will be required to actively monitor the portal’s dashboard to track progress and ensure transparency in service delivery. The notification further directs Collectors to adhere to the timelines and guidelines laid out in the policy, with a clear emphasis on result-oriented and sensitive governance. Relief and rehabilitation actions are to be completed within prescribed timeframes, with regular reporting to the Home Department.
 
‘Govt open for talks with Naxals’
 
 
Responding to a proposal for peace talks from Naxal organisations, Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma has stated that the government is prepared to engage in dialogue. During a press conference at his official residence on Thursday, Sharma stated that the government has a clear and effective rehabilitation policy for Naxalites and urged them to surrender their weapons and pursue peaceful negotiations. 
 
“If even a single person is ready for talks, the government is also ready. Whether it's a small group or a large one, the government is prepared for discussions at every level," Sharma asserted. He clarified that this initiative is being carried out under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister. However, he also cautioned that dialogue cannot be the sole response to armed conflict, and the government will take decisive action when necessary. He deemed the Naxal organization's letter ‘correct and authentic.’
 
Sharma said the government believes that peaceful negotiations are essential for fostering stability and development in Naxal-affected regions. They have appealed to Naxalites to seize the opportunity and come forward for talks without delay. Notably, the Naxal organizations, through a press note issued by "Rupesh," the in-charge of the North-West Sub Zonal Bureau, have expressed their desire for peace talks. Notably, they clarified that they do not consider police personnel as their enemy, a message they claim to have consistently conveyed through posters and pamphlets. The press note from the Naxalites stated that a situation of mutual conflict has been created. We consider the public and our cadre as our own, bullets should not be fired on them. Support our efforts for peace talks. They also stated that they do not oppose schools, hospitals, and Anganwadis and was of the view that the members of the committee formed between the government and the Maoists will have to take it forward.