Tuesday, March 14 2006 13:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: In the wake of intensified Maoist attacks against Government installations, Nepal's Royal Government has offered amnesty and rewards including cash up to Rs 1 million, employment and rehabilitation to guerillas who give up arms.

Home Minister Kamal Thapa yesterday announced Nepalese Rs 1 million (US$ 14,000) cash reward to the central committee members of the CPN-Maoists who surrender before the Government by abandoning the path of violence and terror.

Maoist cadres who surrender with arms will be rewarded with cash prizes ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 500,000 and central committee members who want to give up violence will get upto Rs 1,000,000, Thapa told reporters, unveiling the 'National Policy on Abdication and Rehabilitation 2006.'

The policies are introduced with a view to establish and promote peace in the country, he said.

The minister assured legal, physical and economic assistance to Maoists who want to quit terrorism and promise to lead a peaceful life by mid-June.

Names of those surrendering will be kept secret for security reason if they wish to do so, he said.

The Government has also decided to establish a rehabilitation centre in Kathmandu to provide shelter to the surrendered Maoists.

Thapa also announced a policy for internally displaced people, which envisages relief and rehabilitation arrangements for victims of conflict, natural calamity and other human borne reasons.

Unveiling the 'National Policy on Internally Displaced People 2006,' the minister said the government aims to help organise and coordinate the problems of the internally displaced people and help mobilise Government as well as other resources received from the donor countries and organizations.

Thapa said the Government has plans to provide relief assistance, land to the landless people and education facility to children of displaced persons.

The ten-year long insurgency has so far claimed over 13,000 lives and left over 200,000 people displaced.