Naxal- affected districts in Karnataka have been put on alert following a spate of Maoist violence in Odisha, Chattisgarsh and Maharashtra, where on Thursday Maoists killed two villagers and abducted 10 others in Marke village in Gadchirolli district on suspicion of being police informers. The Malnad region comprising Shimoga, Chikmagalur and Udupi districts, apart from parts of Dakshina Kannada and Hassan has been classified as naxal-infested and of late, there has been some movement of Maoists from outside the State in these areas.
“We have sounded the alert and have cautioned the district superintendents of police. We are keeping a close watch,” said the Director General and Inspector General of Police A.R. Infant. He added that the government is working on a revised surrender and rehabilitation policy for Maoists, who wish to surrender and get mainstreamed. The state government has also sought relaxation in the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 to be able to use the forest land for undertaking development activities and creating infrastructure in the Naxal-affected areas.
The Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Package of 2010 recommends two acres of land, a house, Rs. one lakh cash and another one lakh as loan to the surrendering naxal. The government is reliably reviewing the financial package since the promised amount is too less for rehabilitation. The surrendered Maoists will also be kept under observation for a certain period before the government agrees to withdraw cases pending against him or her.