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CRPF to hire surrendered Maoists
As a measure to wean them away from the path of rebellion, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) wants to induct surrendered and arrested Maoists of West Bengal into its ranks.
As a measure to wean them away from the path of rebellion, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) wants to induct surrendered and arrested Maoists of West Bengal into its ranks.
The force is also hoping to turn the rebels' fighting skills, acquired from the red leadership in jungle and mountainous terrain, to good account.
The CRPF is sending a plan to its headquarters in New Delhi, besides the ministry of home affairs, recommending the case of 17-year-old Suman Maity alias Sauntha, Lalgarh-Salboni sub-zonal committee leader, arrested this month.
The force has planned to bear the cost of Maity's schooling and his training to make him eligible for a trooper's job, for which the minimum qualification is a school-leaving certificate.
"We are planning to provide education to one young arrested youth since he has studied till class nine. Then we will provide him training and try and recruit him as our jawan," said Vivek Sahay, inspector general, CRPF. "We are making a formal proposal. It will be fruitful to get them into our ranks since they are already trained in jungle warfare and weapons. This will also give them honourable employment."
In Jammu and Kashmir, the paramilitary forces induct surrendered militants into their ranks as a matter of policy.
CRPF sources said there was the precedent of recruiting Naga and Bodo militants in the northeast. About 200 Dimasa tribal rebels will also be inducted.
In Chhattisgarh, the state government patronised a tribal militia called the Salwa Judum to fight the Maoists until it was decreed illegal by the Supreme Court.
