The West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, on Thursday declared a compensation package for families of civilians killed in Maoists attacks in the Left Wing Extremists (LWE) affected districts of the State.

Next of kin of the victims will be given a total of Rs 5 lakh – Rs 2 lakh from the State exchequer and the balance from Central funds.

A total of 21 blocks in the three districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura have been notified as LWE-hit areas in the State and are loosely referred to as Junglemahal.

Speaking to reporters at the Writers' Buildings, Ms Banerjee said her government was also mulling options of either providing a job or pension to the family members of the civilians killed by Maoists in these areas of the State.

The declaration comes on the day suspected Maoists killed a Trinamool Congress worker, identified as Rabindranath Mishra, at Patashimul in the West Midnapore district.

This, incidentally, is the second such package declared by the Chief Minister. She had earlier declared an economic package based broadly on the Union home ministry's guidelines for the surrender of armed Left Wing Extremists (LWEs).

Economic Package

Earlier this month, the State government had announced a package for the surrendering ultras under which Maoists, who laid down arms, would receive a fixed deposit of Rs 1.5 lakh in their names. They can withdraw the amount after three years.

Surrendering ultras would also be entitled to receive a stipend of Rs 2,000 per month for 36 months. This stipend would be withdrawn after they get a job.

Depending on the type and quality of surrendered arms, surrendering guerrillas will be paid and amount between Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakh.

Recruitment Drive

The Chief Minister said a notification for recruitment of 10,000 people in the police force in Junglemahal would be issued in September. Priority will be accorded to the local youth, she said.

A promise to create 10,000 jobs in the police force was made by the Chief Minister during her two day visit to Junglemahal earlier this year.

Fresh Appeal

Making a fresh appeal to Maoists to return to the mainstream, Ms Banerjee reiterated that her Government was trying to solve the problem in a peaceful manner.

"We want the Maoists to return to the mainstream. We don't approve of killing of people, a criminal offence. We still believe that development is the key issue in Junglemahal," she told reporters.

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