Bihar govt approves new surrender policy for Maoists

Bihar government approved a new surrender and rehabilitation policy for Maoists, including Rs 2.5 lakh to top leaders who renounced arms, on a day seven policemen were killed in a land mine blast by the rebels in Aurangabad district.
The Rs 2.5 lakh would be given for state, regional, central committees and polit bureau members of Maoists who surrender under the new policy, which was approved at a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Coordination Committee Brajesh Mehrotra told reporters here.
Under the earlier 2001 policy, Rs 10,000 was given as immediate assistance for surrender and Rs 3000 per month for rehabilitation, he said.

He said the amount would be deposited in bank and would be given after three years of surrender.
Mehrotra said an additional amount would be provided to those surrendering with arms and explosives, based on their weight.