Land, financial aid to victims: Chhattisgarh declares new ‘surrender’ policy for Maoists

The Chhattisgarh cabinet has recently approved a new rehabilitation policy aimed at supporting civilian victims of Maoist violence and increasing compensation for those assisting in anti-Naxalite operations, an official confirmed.

Titled the ‘Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy-2025,’ this initiative seeks to provide enhanced compensation, free education, healthcare services, and job opportunities to individuals affected by the Naxal insurgency. Additionally, it offers legal assistance and rehabilitation to surrendered Naxalites, helping them reintegrate into society, the official stated on Saturday.

The government underscores the importance of balancing strict enforcement measures with rehabilitation to effectively address the issue of Naxalism.

Under the revised policy, compensation for the families of ‘gopniya Sainik’ (informers) assisting police in anti-Naxalite operations has been doubled from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, in addition to the benefits available under central schemes. Similarly, those who sustain permanent disabilities while assisting in these operations will now receive Rs 5 lakh, up from Rs 3 lakh.

In cases of civilian casualties, severe injuries, or permanent disabilities resulting from Naxal violence, affected families will be provided with 1.5 hectares of agricultural land or 4 decimal (1,742 sq ft) of residential land in urban areas. If land allocation is not feasible, financial aid of Rs 4 lakh will be granted to rural victims and Rs 8 lakh to those in urban areas.

Additionally, families purchasing agricultural land within three years of the incident will be exempt from stamp duty and registration fees for up to two acres of land. If a government job is not available for a family member of a deceased civilian, the government will provide a financial assistance package of Rs 15 lakh—Rs 10 lakh for the spouse and children, and Rs 5 lakh for parents.

The policy also introduces special employment schemes for those affected by Naxal violence. If a victim secures employment in the private sector, the government will subsidize 40% of their salary for five years, with a cap of Rs 5 lakh per year.

Children from victim families will receive free education at Prayas Residential Schools and Eklavya Model Schools. For those opting for private schools, priority will be given to seats reserved under the Right to Education Act. Additionally, students pursuing higher education or technical training will be eligible for an annual scholarship of Rs 25,000.

Surrendered Naxalites will receive an immediate cash assistance of Rs 50,000, along with additional incentives for surrendering weapons. Compensation for surrendered firearms includes Rs 5 lakh for an LMG (Light Machine Gun), Rs 4 lakh for an AK-47 rifle, and Rs 2 lakh for Insas or SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) weapons, among others.

Further, surrendered Naxalites who are unmarried or have lost their spouses will be granted Rs 1 lakh within three years for marriage assistance.

Those carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh or more will be eligible for land allocation—up to 4 decimal (1,742 sq ft) in urban areas or 1 hectare of agricultural land in rural areas. If land is unavailable, Rs 2 lakh will be provided to facilitate the purchase of immovable property.

Incentives will also be offered for aiding in the seizure of explosives and weapons. A surrendered Naxalite will receive Rs 15,000 for assisting in the recovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing at least 5 kg and Rs 25,000 for an IED weighing 10 kg or more. Additionally, Rs 1 lakh will be awarded for the recovery of a large Naxalite weapons cache containing automatic firearms, explosives weighing 20 kg or more, or equipment for manufacturing weapons.

The policy also revises reward structures for lower-ranking Naxalites based on their roles within the outlawed organization.

To encourage collective surrenders, the government has announced that any village panchayat where all active Naxalites and militia members surrender will receive development projects worth Rs 1 crore.