Bhubaneswar: A day after Odisha State Organising Committee of CPI (Maoist) threatened to turn violent, the state government on Monday asked the ultras to shun the path of violence and surrender and accept the rehabilitation packages.
"I appeal again to my misguided young brothers and sisters who have gone to the Maoist cause, law of the jungle ...Request them to return to the mainstream," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said before leaving for Delhi from where he is slated to proceed to the UK on a week-long visit.
Patnaik expressed hope that the ultras should return to the mainstream and take benefits of the new rehabilitation policy meant for them.
State Home Secretary U N Behera rejected the charges made by Odisha State Organising Committee of CPI (Maoist)`s (OSOC) Secretary Sabyasachi Panda who, through an audio tape had yesterday threatened to turn violent if government resorted to suppression.
"We are implementing the commitments made during the hostage crisis. The commitment on withdrawal of prosecution against 13 persons is under process," Behera told reporters.
On Panda`s allegation that police had stepped up operation in areas under the control of OSOC despite no violence by them, Behera said, "besides Panda`s group other factions of Maoists are also operating. Therefore, operation is being conducted based on intelligence inputs."
PTI
