The Chhattisgarh government on Friday ordered a legal review of cases related to individuals jailed for non-serious Maoist-related crimes that did not involve loss of life, paving the way for release of eligible accused after due legal scrutiny.
The decision was taken during a police meeting on relief, rehabilitation and development work in Maoist-affected areas chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma on Friday.
Principal Secretary Niharika Singh Parikh, Secretary Neha Champawat and Additional Director General of Police Vivekanand Sinha attended the meeting.
Sharma directed the officials to form a team of public prosecutors and lawyers, with the assistance of the legal department, to examine the withdrawal of eligible cases related to Maoists in accordance with legal procedures.
He said that those involved in non-serious Maoist cases that did not result in loss of life should be considered for release after completing the necessary legal procedures.
The state government also announced a major development push for areas that emerged from Maoist influence. Villages that issue resolutions declaring themselves free from Maoist influence will receive development works worth their value $1 Crore each.
According to officials, 50 such villages have been identified so far, including 20 each in Sukma and Bijapur districts and 10 in Narayanpur district.
Sharma directed officials to hoist the national flag in all Maoist-free villages on Independence Day this year to enhance national unity, public confidence and people’s participation.
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He also instructed the officials to provide homes to all families affected by Maoist violence and rehabilitated beneficiaries under the special provisions of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
The government will build community memorials at sites of major Maoist attacks to honor security personnel and civilians who lost their lives.
Officials have been directed to ensure that all government benefits reach the families of martyred security personnel and civilians killed in Maoist violence without delay.
Sharma also instructed officials to ensure that incentive amounts under the state’s rehabilitation policy are disbursed to rehabilitated youth within one month. He also directed that the benefits provided to Maoist victims and rehabilitated persons be updated regularly on a dedicated dashboard.
Sharma also asked the officials to form an inter-state committee to check and recover weapons looted by the Maoists and ensure that no firearms are left behind during anti-Maoist operations.
