Proper verification must before Maoists surrender: CM

Raipur, Jan 10 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today said police must verify all aspects whenever Naxals surrender.

Asked about complaints that police had persuaded 79 people, including innocent tribals, to surrender as Naxals before him at a function in the state capital here on January 3, Mr Singh said ''Police have to be cautious while dealing with such issues.'' However, he clarified that 47 people, who were among 79 who had surrendered, had cases registered against them for destroying a school building in Bastar with the support of ultras.

''Those who had surrendered may not be hardcore Naxals but they used to help the rebels,'' he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that he had already asked the Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) to inquire into the matter in the light of the ongoing controversy.

Mr Singh said the IG (Bastar range) will investigate the matter as he would be in a better position to know about the actual situation.

When his attention was drawn towards the reported statement of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Keshkal and parliamentary secretary Mahesh Baghel that many of those who had ''surrendered'' as Maoists, were in fact BJP workers, the Chief Minister said the legislator might know them but they were not office bearers of the party.

''It is a fact that villagers support the Maoists because of compulsion,'' he added.

On being asked about rebels ruling parallel government in the South Bastar region, Dr Singh said except in a few blocks, the law and order situation and developmental work were satisfactory.

The Naxalite network had been weakened as police and para-military forces had mounted pressure in many areas, which were earlier dominated by the Maoists.

UNI