Wife of former Maoist urges rebels to join mainstream

Bokaro, Apr 28 (ANI): Rekha Manjhi, wife of former top Maoist leader Varun Manjhi has urged the rebels to join the mainstream and derive benefits of central government's rehabilitation schemes.

Rekha, who recently received a cheque of Rs 5.10 lakh for motivating her husband to surrender and come to mainstream said they were leading a peaceful life unlike earlier which was full of violence.

"We both wanted a different life from what we led earlier. I did a course on Art of Living, which inspired me. I urge them to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream. Life was not so easy earlier. Now, we are leading a meaningful life," said Manjhi.

Bokaro Deputy Commissioner Sunil Kumar said they have been provided with all the benefits listed in the rehabilitation scheme.

"They have been given a sum of Rs 5.10 lakh, which was under process for the last one and a half year. The rehabilitation package was delayed due to some problems," said Kumar.

Meanwhile, Bokaro Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Dwivedi said they were expecting more ultras to come forward and surrender.

"Surrender of arms and coming to the mainstream by some Maoists had sent a message to others exposing the double standards of Maoists. They are fed up of that life and are now ready to join the mainstream. The administration and the police are continuously making efforts and this move has had a very positive impact in the region," said Dwivedi.

Varun Manjhi was the Area Commander of Piparwar-Bokaro region and had surrendered back in 2010 and the couple has been leading normal life since then.

The Maoist insurgency has gripped nearly a third of the country in its violent tentacles, spreading into the interiors of 20 of India's 28 states.

The guerrilla war, waged mostly from the forests of central and eastern India by the Communist Party of India-Maoist, poses as the country's biggest internal security threat, say analysts. (ANI)