NHRC to probe Jharkhand surrender scam

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The NHRC will probe the alleged surrender scam in Jharkhand in which adivasi youths were asked to pose as Maoists and surrender for jobs, a commission official said Wednesday.

"The commission has directed its director general (investigation) to depute a team to conduct a thorough inquiry in the matter and submit a report within four weeks," said the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) official.

"The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that a surrender scam was allegedly perpetrated by a former Military Intelligence officer with the knowledge of CRPF officers to lure tribal youths in search of jobs in Jharkhand to pose as Naxalites desiring to surrender," said a statement.

It added: "In exchange, some of them had to sell their personal belongings like motorcycle, land to arrange for money which could secure them a job in army, paramilitary or state police through illegal means. But not everyone allegedly conned was rewarded. The media report cited examples of 18 victims of such a scam."