Surrender policy to be reviewed: Koda

Jamshedpur, Mar 6 (UNI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today said the surrender policy for the extremists would be reviewed soon as it was not effective to bring the rebels back to the mainstream.

Talking to newspersons here Mr Koda, who came to attend the funeral of slain JMM MP and party general secretary Sunil Mahto, admitted that there were many shortcomings in the existing surrender policy and the government would go through it again and would make it more effective.

Mr Koda said the state government was concerned about the spurt of the naxalite movement and determined to initiate drastic action against the ultras.

Mr Koda said an all party meeting has been convened in Ranchi tomorrow to discuss the situation after the assassination of Mr Mahto by the naxals at Baguria village near Ghatshila on March 4.

He said the Centre had assured all assistance to combat the naxalite menace in the state. He demanded additional 10 companies of para-military forces.

The Chief Minister said the government was also considering to adopt Andhra Pradesh model to launch anti-insurgency operations.

Mr Koda said he had already demanded a CBI inquiry into Mr Mahto's killing but the state investigation agencies, including Intelligence Bureau, CID and Forensic department had already swung into action to investigate the incident.

He also stressed the need for mordernisation and strengthening the police force in the state adding he had already recommended to recruit 65 DSPs, 150 sub-inspectors and 2000 constables.

About constitution of Indian Reserve Battlion Force(IRBF), as recommended by the Centre, he said out of three, one IRBF company has been raized and two others would be formed soon.

Referring to the wall writings of the CPI(Maoist)outfit at Lango and Hadiyan villages under Gurabandha police station in the East Singhbhum district, owing responsibility of Mr Mahto's killing, Mr Koda confirmed it but said many contradictory reports were coming as another naxalite outfit led by Jiten Marandi claimed the ultras were not involved in the murder.He said everything would be cleared once the investigations were completed.

UNI