The royal government has announced two separate policies regarding “surrender and rehabilitation (of Maoist cadres)” and “regarding internally displaced persons (IDPs)”.

Speaking at a press conference at the Home Ministry on Monday, Home Minister Kamal Thapa said that the newly formulated policies aimed at mainstreaming the Maoists and restoring peace in the country through peaceful means.

As per newly formed policy regarding surrender and rehabilitation, the government has announced prizes (money) and other facilities to the Maoists who want to surrender.

The government has also increased the amount of moneht to the Maoists surrendering with weapons.

The policy said Maoists surrendering with 81 mm mortar will the most, Rs. 500,000 and the Maoists surrendering with Number 36 plastic hand grenade will receive Rs 500.

As per the newly formed policy, the government will provide economic, physical and legal security to the Maoists, who surrender leaving the Maoist activities.

The government will provide extra economic assistance to the Maoists who surrender in a group. As per the policy, the government will provide additional 10 percent economic assistance to a group of up to ten Maoists, while up to 50 percent additional economic assistance will be given to the group of more than ten people.

The government is establishing a fund of 10 million rupees at the Home Ministry to provide economic assistance to the Maoists, who want to surrender.

As per the newly formed policy, Maoists will be categorized into four categories on the basis of their affiliation in the party and they will be entitled to facilities as per their category. The first category comprises general supporters of Maoists, who were involved in the Maoist activities or used by the Maoists through various means, the second category includes Maoist activities for more than two years or Maoist cadres active in local level, the third category includes Maoist cadres involved in army activities and district level leaders and the fourth category includes Maoist top leaders including Maoist commanders higher than district level.

“The other Maoists leaving the Maoist activities will be entitled to various facilities and will be prioritized to be sent for foreign employment,” the policy stated.

The government is establishing a rehabilitation centre in Kathmandu to keep the surrendering Maoists. At present the government is operating a rehabilitation centre in Dhakaltar.

Home Minister Thapa informed that the government is operating a rehabilitation centre in Kathmandu to provide education and other trainings to the Maoists, who surrender as per their qualification.

As per the policy, the government will form a central coordination committee headed by the Home Minister to coordinate the activities of surrender and rehabilitation.

Separate assistance committees will be formed comprising independent persons for publicity and create conducive environment for surrender and to suggest the central coordination committee.

Central progrmme management committee headed by Home Secretary will be formed to provide facilities and create appropriate policies including quota for foreign employment and to operate rehabilitation centre, the policy states.

Home Minister Thapa informed that the government announced this policy keeping in view the increasing number of Maoists, who want to surrender and spend a peaceful life. He however did not elaborate.

He also informed that the government will take back the charges against Maoists, who had surrendered as per the exiting law of the country and they will not be punished for their past activities.

The policy also said that the government will review the status of former Maoist cadres, who are in Dhakaltar rehabilitation centre. The government will provide Rs 15,000 to those who return back to home and others will be shifted to rehabilitation centre in Kathmandu.

The policy IDPs has the provision of rehabilitation of the people who were compelled to be IDPs due to flaring conflict of the country, other natural calamities and other human caused calamities.

As per the newly formed policy, the government will maintain a record of people displaced by the conflict and will conduct various programmes for their rehabilitation.

The government will conduct various programmes to incorporate displaced people into the development activities of the country and to rehabilitate them in previous place.

The policy has assured to create conducive environment for respecting human rights and other rights of the IDPs.

A central directive committee headed by Home Minister to coordinate in the central level, a programme coordination committee headed by Chief Secretary of the His Majesty’s Government and a district coordination committee headed by Chief District Officer will coordinate to implement the policy.

It was stated that these policies were formed as per the national and international humanitarian laws and the constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990.

Home Minister Thapa said that these policies were formed to fulfill the objectives of the government to maintain peace and stability in the country.

On the blockade announced by the Maoists from Tuesday, Home Minister Thapa said that the government has made necessary preparation for security and smooth supply of goods. He further said that the blockade will not affect normal life as people are not in favour of such programmes.