Proper verification must before Maoists surrender: Raman

Raipur, Jan 10 (UNI) Amid controversy over surrender of 'fake Maoists', Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today said police must verify all aspects whenever naxals surrender to return to the mainstream.

''Police have to be cautious while dealing with such issues,'' he told newsmen here, when asked about complaints that police had persuaded 79 people, including innocent tribals, to surrender as naxals before the Chief Minister at a function in the state capital on January 3.

However, Dr Singh clarified that 47 people, who were among 79 who had surrendered, were facing cases 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 claimed.

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.

He said the probe had been entrusted to the IG (Bastar range) as he would be in a better position to know about the actual situation.

When his attention was drawn towards the reported statement of parliamentary secretary Mahesh Baghel, BJP legislator from Keshkal, that many of those who had ''surrendered'' as Maoists were infact BJP party workers, the Chief Minister said Mr Baghel 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.

Asked about the criticism that rebels were ruling parallel government in the South Bastar region, Dr Singh said except in few blocks, the situation of law and order and development 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