Tuesday, November 8 2005 19:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mangalore: Offering an olive branch in a bid to eradicate the naxal menace in the state Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Nov 08, 2005) announced a 'surrender package' for naxalites 'if they gave up arms'.

The government is ready for talks with naxals provided they give up arms, he told reporters here after reviewing security arrangements in the naxal affected districts of Chikmagalur, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Shimoga.

"The talks with naxals will be through ballots and not bullets", Singh said, adding special powers have been given to Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents to tackle the problem.

In case the naxalites decide to surrender, the government will consider withdrawing cases against them, he said. The government is also contemplating bringing in a 'separate act' on the lines of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to curb the naxal menace, Singh said.

It has also been decided to invoke Unlawful Activities Prevention (Amendment) Act 2004 in the naxalite-affected areas of the districts, he said.

The government has also advised the district authorities to familiarise themselves with the 'surrender policy' of naxalites who are interested in returning to the mainstream of society, Singh said.

He said he had directed the authorities to visit naxalite-affected villages and infuse confidence in people that they are with them.

Singh said he had directed the forest authorities not to harass tribals living in forests and asked district administration to publicise the relief measures the state government had evolved for them.

He called for a "perfect level of coordination between police, forest officials and other departments to control the naxal menace".

The Chief Minister said Anti-Naxalite Force (ANF) will be strengthened with more personnel and modern equipment and landmine detectors would also be provided to it.

The government is also considering appointing a bomb detection disposal squad for naxal-affected districts, Singh said.

To a query, he said he would consider providing mobile phone facilities to all SPs under the 'modernisation package'.

Singh said he had discussed the naxal issue with Union Home Minister Shivaraj Patil recently and asserted that the government was committed to curb the naxal menace in the state.