New Delhi: With many Maoists undergoing vasectomy and shying away from joining the mainstream, the government has offered to conduct reverse sterilisation procedure for Naxals willing to return to normal family life.
In a communication, the Home Ministry today asked Maoist-hit states to facilitate reverse vasectomy operations of willing Maoist cadres and bear medical costs to help the extremists lead normal family life and have children.
"No rehabilitation is complete if Maoist cadres cannot return to normal family life and have children. Hence, there is a need to ascertain the status of the surrendered or arrested Maoist cadres and wherever necessary facilitate their return to normal family life.”
"This process will also reduce the temptation of the cadres to return to Maoist fold. Hence, state governments should consider facilitating vasectomy reversal operations of willing Maoists. Since most sterilisation surgeries are conducted in a crude manner by local quacks, if the reversal operation has to be done in a higher medical centre, the government should bear the costs," the communication said.
Forced sterilisation of lower cadres of Maoists by top leadership has been in practice for years. The medical procedure is conducted apparently to keep the cadres perpetually battle fit and also to close the option of leading a family life away from Maoist fold.
In fact, pre-condition for many marriages between male and female cadres is male sterilisation to prevent filial attachments.
This practice has led to surrender by a sizeable number of Maoist cadres over the years, especially in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
Recently, two surrendered Maoists cadres had undergone vasectomy reversal surgery successfully in Chhattisgarh.
The Home Ministry told the states to give the campaign utmost importance to increase awareness and communicate to the Maoist cadres through government machinery and NGOs that vasectomy is reversible as this may motivate them to leave the Maoist fold.
"This matter may be given due attention and the district administration may be suitably sensitised in this regard so that the issue is addressed with sensitivity. It is suggested that the names and addresses of the Maoist cadres who avail of this option should not be disclosed," it said.
PTI
