Mamata offers fresh deal to Jungle Mahal Maoists

A day after a fierce gun-battle at Lakhanpur jungle in Jungle Mahal between Maoists and joint forces, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday appealed to them to give up violence and offered a fresh package.

Promising security to Maoists who will surrender, Banerjee said, "We want Maoists to give up the politics of guns and violence and join the mainstream. Return to a normal life with your families."

Maoists who lay down their arms would receive a fixed deposit of Rs 1.5 lakh in their names which could be withdrawn after three years, Banerjee told reporters.

They would also be entitled to receive a stipend of Rs 2,000 per month for 36 months which would be withdrawn after they received a job, she said.

For arms surrendered, Banerjee said, "Maoists will be paid between Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh."

She stressed that it was the responsibility of the state government to provide security, both personal and social, to those who returned to the mainstream.

On the release of political prisoners, which her government has promised to do, Banerjee said "The instruction to release 50 prisoners has been sent but there are certain problems about the release of two of them."

She added that the issue was being sorted out.

Banerjee also said that the process of providing 10,000 jobs in the police to tribal youths, particularly in Jungle Mahal, has begun.