Tripura to drop cases against ex-guerrillas

The Tripura government has decided to withdraw court cases against surrendered militants, except those of crimes committed against women, an official said here Thursday.

"Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the state government has decided to withdraw court cases against the former militants to lure underground terrorists to lay down arms and join mainstream of life," a home department official said quoting Sarkar, who is also holding the home portfolio.

"However, the cases relating to crimes against women pending against the surrendered extremists would never be settled outside the court or withdrawn," the official quoted the chief minister as saying at a meeting.

The official said several hundred cases against the surrendered militants have already been withdrawn or are in the process of being withdrawn.

Sarkar said freeing the surrendered extremists from legal cases has been a prerequisite to persuade the guerrillas to surrender and this is a strategy of the central and other state governments too.

"Withdrawal of cases against the cadres of various militant outfits is not being carried out only in Tripura, but also in other states. We all want permanent peace and that the extremists eschew path of violence," Sarkar added.