This story is from January 8, 2020

Maharashtra: Call them back now: Gadchiroli SP appeals to Maoists’ families

Gadchiroli superintendent of police Shailesh Balkawade on Monday handed over letters containing an emotional appeal to the families of Maoist cadres urging them to convince their rebel kin to return to mainstream.
Maharashtra: Call them back now: Gadchiroli SP appeals to Maoists’ families
Gadchiroli SP Shailesh Balkawade handing over letters to villagers
NELGONDA (BHAMRAGARH): Gadchiroli superintendent of police Shailesh Balkawade on Monday handed over letters containing an emotional appeal to the families of Maoist cadres urging them to convince their rebel kin to return to mainstream.
Balkawade handed over the letters at a 'Jan Jagaran Melawa' or public awareness rally at Nelgonda in Bhamragarh tehsil. Balkawade made the request as 'their son' or 'elder brother' asking Naxalites to surrender under 'Navjeevan yojana'.
He said the monetary and other benefits in the policy, like allotment of plots or financial support to build home, could help families of the surrendered Maoists prosper. The SP also mentioned a skill development training programme and financial assistance available to to surrendered Maoists to get a job or set up businesses.
Balkawade met the families of alleged Maoist cadres Mukesh Kannake and Watte Wanja Wadde of Nelgonda and handed over the letters to them. He also assured no action would be taken against them for having joined the rebel movement. "Unko wapas bulao, bolo aa jao abhi. Kuch nahi hai jungle ke zindagi mein sivai taqleef ke. upar se police karwai ka bhi darr hoga (Tell the (Maoists) to return. Call them now. Life in the jungle offers nothing except hardship and there is also fear of police action)," said Balkawade.
He was accompanied by district collector Shekhar Singh, at the first ever melawa at Nelgonda, around seven kilometers from the Maoist headquarters 'Abujmadh' that straddles across Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. Balkawade assured he will also ensure the Maoists would not harm those who surrender.
Shishupal, younger brother of Mukesh, expressed his helplessness along with father Penta before Balkawade and Singh. "We tried (to convince the rebels) many times but he did not listen," he said. The family also pointed out Mukesh is father of four daughters but still did not pay any heed to their request to return.
Balkawade also mentioned in the letter that the Telugu leadership was increasingly pressuring the local tribals to extort money and then siphoning off the money for their personal and families' benefits. Later, the Telugu leaders surrender leaving the local tribals in the lurch. It is for their policy to send tribals ahead which means number of deaths of the local cadres was increasing.

Balkawade also asked the surrendered Maoists address the rally. He lambasted the top cadres like Bhupathi and Tarakka stating their children were getting educated in foreign countries.
Speaking to TOI, Mukesh's father said he had to spend a night at police station last year as his son was with the Maoists. "Whichever officer comes in the tehsil they first harass and threaten us but our son is not willing to return," he said. Penta's family got a new cycle at the melawa.
Shishupal lamented that the family had got disturbed and now had decided to stay separately as police pressure them to divulge information about him. "Sometimes he comes to us but returns shortly after meeting everyone," he said.
Another Maoist Watte's younger brother Vaju had to spend three years in jail because of his elder brohter. He returned a year back from jail but had not been able to convince him to surrender.
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