West Bengal govt unveils package for surrendered Maoists

In a bid to encourage Maoist cadres to give up arms and join the mainstream, the government of West Bengal state announced a special financial package to support the surrendered ultras and their families on Friday. The announcement comes a day after Maoist ultras engaged in a fierce gun battle with the security forces in the state's Jangal Mahal region, widely regarded as a stronghold of the rebels. Unveiling the package at a news conference in Kolkata, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said the surrendered ultras would receive a stipend of Rs. 2000 a month to help them begin their lives anew.