No anti-Naxal fund for Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Even as the centre had recently decided to include Malappuram, Wayanad and Palakkad in the list of left wing extremism-affected districts, the state is yet to receive any special assistance in this regard.

According to government sources, the surrender-cum-rehabilitation package for Maoists announced on Wednesday was worked out by the state government only.

"We are yet to receive any financial assistance from the centre for anti-Naxal activities though we had made many proposals over the last few years. Hence,  the package was finalised by the state itself," said chief minister's private secretary M.V. Jayarajan.

He also said that the state police was only receiving funds under the modernisation schemes. The surrender policy  offers up to '5 lakh for top Naxal leaders.   Though several instances of attack by Naxals were reported in the state over the last few years, Kerala was not considered as a Naxal-affected state by the centre. 

It was only after the killing of two Maoists in the Nilambur forest on November 24, 2016  in an encounter that the centre gave some attention to the presence of left wing extremism in the state. As a result of strong pressure from the state, the centre recently decided to include  Malappuram, Wayanad and Palakkad in  the list of  affected areas. Police sources said that  the Centre would provide additional funds for security measures as well as for community development of the areas.