Nepal government offers reward for Maoists' surrender

Kathmandu, Mar 14The Nepal government has announced a reward of one million rupees to central-level leaders of the Maoists, who surrender to security forces.

The government will offer an attractive prize for the rebel central committee level members by mid-June this year, Home Minister Kamal Thapa said.

Such rewards will also be provided to other Maoists depending their affiliation with the surrendered rebels, he said.

The government also has plans to establish a Maoist rehabilitation centre in capital Kathmandu to provide them security and facilities.

Mr Thapa said the state will provide security for these rebels.

''The government will guarantee the physical, economic and legal security to those who are interested in surrendering,'' the Minister said, adding that there was also a provision of secret surrender.

For arms deposited with troops, the government would provide between Rs 5,00,000 and Rs 500, the highest for 81-mm mortar and the lowest for a plastic grenade.

The government has also announced a programme for people displaced due to the insurgency in the Himalayan Kingdom.

It is estimated that more than 200,000 persons have been internally displaced since the insurgency began in 1996.

The Maoists insurgency has claimed over 13,000 lives.

UNI