SHILLONG, June 20 – A deposited rocket launcher or a snifer rifle would make a surrendered militant in Meghalaya richer by Rs 25,000, while laying down an AK-assault rifle would fetch him Rs 15,000, as fixed in a rehabilitation package by state government, reports PTI. The scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of militants in the state, tabled in the Assembly here Friday by Chief Minister D D Lapang, announced incentives for the laid down weapons and ammunition.
As per the scheme, a surrendered activist would get Rs 10,000 for a carbine/SLR, Rs 5,000 for a stengun and long-range wireless set while Rs 3,000 each would be given for laying down .303 rifle/pistol/revolver other service weapon, remote control device and improvised explosive device. A surrendered militant would get Rs 1,000 each for a rocket, short-range wireless set, explosive material while depositing a grenade would get him Rs 500 per weapon.
According to the scheme, however, the incentives given for the laying down of arms shall be deposited in the form of a fixed deposit in the joint name of the surrenderer and the government nominee and given to the former at the time of his leaving the rehabilitation camp. The scheme was applicable to those militants who surrendered with at least one weapon. However, in “exceptional and deserving” cases, ultras who gave up without arms may also be considered for rehabilitation under the package. The names of such extremists would be scrutinised by a screening committee set up by the government, it said.
The scheme is aimed at “weaning away the misguided youth and hardcore militants who have strayed into the fold of militants” and ensuring that surrendered activists do not find it attractive to join militancy again. The Meghalaya government said it would accept surrender of militant outfits of the state only and not those from outside.
After giving themselves up before the designated authorities with at least one weapon, they would be shifted to a transit camp having basic amenities and given a daily pocket money of Rs 50. At the end of the first month, they would be moved to a rehabilitation camp where they would undergo counselling and be trained on a trade/vocation of their liking and befitting their aptitude, the package entailed. During the period of training at the camp, they would be paid a monthly ‘stipend’ of Rs 2,000 with free lodging.
While minor crime cases against the “successfully rehabilitated” surrendered activists would be withdrawn, those who committed “heinous crimes” would, however, be subjected to “due process of law” and “surrender shall not imply amnesty from the crimes”, the government said. A surrendered ultra, indulging in crime during rehabiliation, shall forfiet all the benefits.
At the end of three months in the camp, the surrendered activists would be released and given Rs 20,000 for self-rehabilitation. With a commendation certificate of the authorities, a second installment of Rs 25,000 as rehabilitation assistance would be paid to the person after three months. After six months, the third and final instalment of Rs 30,000 would be paid, the scheme envisaged.