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Scheme for Surrender-Cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in the North-East: Government of Assam

The following is the text of the scheme announced by the State Government of Assam in 1998 for the surrender and rehabilitation of the terrorists of various outfits. This incidentally was the second such package announced in the State, the first one being the brainchild of the Hiteswar Saikia government. The latter was called the ‘100 per cent Special Money Margin Scheme’ and was implemented between June 1, 1992 and March 31, 1997.

Objectives of the Scheme

1. The objective of the Scheme is to wean away the misguided youth and hardcore militants that have strayed into the folds of militancy and now find themselves trapped into that net. The Scheme also seeks to ensure that the militants who have surrendered do not find it attractive to join militants again.

Eligibility Criteria

2. The Scheme is applicable to those militants who surrender at least with one weapon as mentioned in para 6. However, in exceptional and deserving cases, militants, who surrender without arms, may also be considered for rehabilitation under the Scheme. The names of such militants would be scrutinised by the Screening Committee and a final view taken by Unified Headquarters or similar body at the State Government headquarters.

Benefits under the Scheme

3. Persons eligible under the Scheme will be initially lodged in a Rehabilitation Camp where they will be imparted training in a trade/vocation of their liking or befitting their aptitude.

4. They shall be paid a monthly stipend for a period of 12 months. The stipend in respect of a surrenderee shall not exceed Rs. 2000/- per month. The scale of stipend for various categories of surrenderees will be decided by the State Government in consultation with the Government of India.

5. Board and lodging at the Rehabilitation Camp will be free.

Note 1. The stay of a surrenderee in a Rehabilitation Camp shall not exceed one year. All attempts shall be made to settle the surrenderees during this period. In case of settlement of any surrenderee before the expiry of one year, the stipend shall be stopped with effect from the date of settlement.

Note 2. Minor crime cases against successfully rehabilitated surrenderees will be withdrawn.

Note 3. The surrenderees who have committed heinous crimes like murder, rape, abduction etc. will be subject to the due process of law and surrender shall not imply amnesty from the crimes.

Note 4. A surrenderee who indulge in crime while under rehabilitation shall forfeit the benefits under the Scheme.

Note 5. The agency for rehabilitation may be a suitable NGO and/or the State Government. In case it is an NGO, it will run the Rehabilitation Camp with support from the Security Forces and the Government where required. (A suitable NGO, which has good credentials and willing to work in this sphere, will have o be identified and provided necessary support from the Government). Necessary infrastructure for board, lodging and training of surrenderees shall be provided to the NGO at Government cost.

Incentives for weapons

6. The following incentives have been built into the Scheme for the surrendered weapons/ammunitions:

i)

Rocket Launchers/UMG/GPMG/PIMCA/ Sniper Rifle

Rs.25,000 per weapon

ii)

AK 47/56/74 Rifle

Rs.15,000 per weapon

iii)

.303 Rifles/Pistol/Revolver and other service weapon

Rs.3,000 per weapon

iv)

Rocket

Rs.1,000 per weapon

v)

Grenade/Hand grenade/Stick grenade

Rs.500 per grenade

vi)

Remote Control device

Rs.3000 each

vii)

Ammunition of all types

Rs.3 per round

viii)

Wireless Sets :

a. Short range

b. Long range

 

Rs.1000 each

Rs.5000 each set

ix)

IED

Rs.3000 each

x)

Explosive material

Rs.1000 per kg.

However, the incentive given for surrender of the aforesaid arms shall be deposited in the form of a Fixed Deposit in the joint name of surrenderee and the NGO/State Government nominee and shall be given to the surrenderee at the time of his leaving the Rehabilitation Camp.

7. The State Governments of the North-East shall implement the Scheme. However, the Government of India shall provide 100% reimbursement for expenditure incurred on the rehabilitation of surrenderees. In view of the financial position of insurgency affected States and also the fact that the NGO’s who may undertake rehabilitation work would immediately need some money in advance, it was felt that there shall be provision for giving a part of the rehabilitation money in advance and the rest as reimbursement. Details would be worked out by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.

8. The Government of India shall have the right to inspect any of the Camps set up for rehabilitation or transit and to verify any record in this regard.

Procedure

9. The following agencies will be involved in the process of surrender and rehabilitation:

(i) IG (Special Branch) will act as the Surrender and Rehabilitation Officer (S&R Officer) under the Scheme

(ii) Army

(iii) Central Para Military Force

(iv) A nominated NGO

10. Each of the Security Forces will identify one officer of the rank of DIG or equivalent officer as the nodal officer for coordinating surrender and rehabilitation work of militants with respect to their organisation.

11. A militant shall be free to surrender before any unit of the Army/CPMFs, District Magistrate, District SP, Range DIG, IG (Ops), IG (Special Branch), DIG (Special Brach), SPs (Special Branch), SDM, Sub-Divisional Police Officers and other notified officers. The officers for this purpose shall be notified by the State Governments with due approval of the Government of India. A militant may also surrender before any unit if the Army or the CPMFs outside the State. The officer receiving the surrender shall get the details as informed by the surrenderee filled into a prescribed performa and send the same to the S&R Officer and to the nodal officer of the three forces. The nodal officer of each of the organisations will verify the antecedents of the militants from its own sources and his activities and send its specific recommendations to the S&R Officer stating whether the individual could be taken in as surrenderee or not.

12. The officer receiving the surrender will provide immediate security to the surrendered militant and, after getting necessary details for filling up the performa, send him to the Transit Camp to be maintained by the S&R Officer. The board and lodging expenses for the person lodged in the Transit Camp will be borne by the Government. The maximum period within which the decision about a person should be taken would be 15 days.

13. On receiving reports from the four organisations regarding the activities of surrendered person as militant, a Screening Committee headed by the S&R Officer and comprising nodal offices of the four organisations would formally consider the surrender of militant and if accepted, transfer him to the Rehabilitation Camp.

14. Impact assessment of the policy would be done every year to ensure corrective action if required. If the percentage of surrenderees who are successfully rehabilitated at the rehabilitation centre is below 80%, the NGO should be changed.

15. The expenditure during the current financial year, i.e. 1998-99 will be meted out of the sanctioned Budget.

Date of Effect

16. The Scheme will be applicable to those militants who have surrendered/surrender after 1-4-1998. However, the Scheme will have only prospective effect so far as the payment of monthly stipend to the surrenderees is concerned. Similarly, the facilities to be provided to the NGO will be with prospective effect.

Modification in the Scheme

17. The Ministry of Home Affairs may carry out such modifications in the Scheme as may be considered necessary in public interest. The Ministry of Finance will be consulted if any such modification involves financial implications.

 

 

 

 

 

 
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