Context:
Home Minister Vijay Sharma has recently announced a new ‘Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy’ to tackle the Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh. This policy encourages Maoists to surrender by offering them free food, shelter, cash, skills, land, and homes.
The announcement followed a major security operation in the Bastar region, where 30 Maoists were killed in two separate encounters.
Key Provisions of the New Policy
Under the new policy, Maoists willing to surrender will be offered free food and shelter for three years, a monthly allowance of Rs 10,000, skill development programs, and land and housing under the Prime Minister Housing Scheme.
· Surrendered Maoists who bring weapons will also receive extra incentives, including the bounty amount for their arrest. For mass surrenders, the rewards will be doubled, and areas declared Maoist-free will immediately receive development projects worth Rs 1 crore.
· This will include infrastructure such as mobile networks, electric lines, and solar lights to support the development of these areas.
· Special Provisions for Families and Education: The policy also makes provisions for married couples and their children. Additionally, the government will sponsor the education of children who have lost parents due to Maoist violence.
· Displaced individuals will also receive financial aid and land to help them rebuild their lives, signaling a comprehensive approach to addressing the social and economic impact of the ongoing insurgency.
What is Maoism?
Maoism is a form of communism developed by Mao Tse Tung, emphasizing the use of armed insurgency, mass mobilization, and strategic alliances to overthrow the state. The ideology’s central theme is violence and military action to capture state power, with the slogan "bearing of arms is non-negotiable." The CPI (Maoist), formed in 2004, is the largest Maoist group in India, and it has been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Three-Pronged Strategy to Eliminate Maoist Insurgency
The strategy to counter Maoist insurgency in India focuses on three key pillars:
1. Security Measures: Increasing the presence of security forces in Maoist-affected areas, conducting joint operations between state and central forces, and enhancing the capacity of forces with advanced technology. Operation SAMADHAN targets intelligence gathering and operational efficiency.
2. Development Initiatives: Key projects like improving rural connectivity (PMGSY), building houses under the Aspirational Districts Programme, and promoting infrastructure development aim to address socio-economic factors contributing to insurgency.
3. Empowerment (Winning Hearts and Minds): Engaging with local tribal communities, offering rehabilitation programs for Maoist cadres, and addressing issues like land acquisition and tribal rights to reduce alienation and build trust.
Conclusion
Chhattisgarh's new Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy is an ambitious attempt to reduce Maoist insurgency by offering incentives for surrender, while simultaneously ensuring the welfare of surrendered individuals and their families. The government’s comprehensive approach aims to weaken Maoist forces through both military action and social rehabilitation. With the backing of development initiatives and education support, this policy could play a key role in promoting peace and stability in the state.
