Cops put up posters asking Maoists to return to mainstream

biswabrata goswami

10 February 2012

MIDNAPORE, 10 FEB: Contrary to their earlier practice against Maoists, police in West Midnapore and Jhargram have started a poster campaign for the first time in West Bengal asking the rebels to return to the mainstream.
Encouraged by the surrender of several Maoists recently, both the district police have launched the drive today where they also urged the rebels to avail of the benefits of the government's rehabilitation package for surrendered Maoists.
Earlier, police had put up posters mentioning cash awards on the heads of the most wanted Maoists, but this time they have taken a different step to combat the Maoist menace, a senior security force officer said. Several posters were spotted at different places across Junglemahal in West Midnapore and Jhargram. “Many Maoists have already returned to the mainstream after leaving their guns behind. So, we appeal to you to surrender before the police,” a poster at Midnapore bus stand reads.
Through the posters, written in Bengali, the police have urged Maoists to contact 7407091122 to know the details of the state government's surrender policy. In some places people were not sure about the authenticity of the posters after several police officers expressed ignorance about them. However, Mr Alok Rajoria, additional superintendent of police, Jhargram admitted that the posters were put up by them. “The aim is to persuade the rebels to surrender and to highlight the benefits they stand to gain once they lay down their arms. We also want to stop people from joining the Maoist movement as the rebels are inciting tribals to take to  the path of violence and impeding development,” Mr Rajoria said.
“Usually, we use this method in interior Maoist-hit areas. Since a large number of Maoists have surrendered in the state of late, the posters were put up to reach the squad commanders,” he added.
According to police, around 25 Maoists have surrendered across the Junglemahal in the past few months. Recently, a Maoist couple, who were also close associate of the slain Maoist politburo leader Kishenji, surrendered before IG (Western Range) Gangeswar Singh in Midnapore.
Meanwhile, locals welcomed the initiative taken by the police officials and have urged Maoists to lay down their arms and derive benefits through the various financial assistance schemes started by the state government. “This is a very positive step taken up by the police to urge the youth who have taken a wrong path to join Maoists. The police have pasted posters all over the place urging Maoists to return to the mainstream. The government has given them an opportunity and they should grab it,” said Kailash Munda, a resident of Belpahari.