Date:30/12/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/12/30/stories/2003123001501200.htm

National

Bengal to rehabilitate surrendering KLO rebels

By Marcus Dam

Kolkata Dec. 29. The West Bengal Government is arranging for the social and economic rehabilitation of surrendering activists of the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO). Following the offensive by the Royal Bhutan Army against insurgents in southern Bhutan, the authorities here expect a large number of militants to surrender in the coming days.

Speaking to The Hindu from Jalpaiguri district, the epicentre of the outfit's activity over the years, the Superintendent of Police, S.N. Gupta, said today that militants who had earlier been arrested and granted bail were being shortlisted for rehabilitation.

``We expect to provide economic rehabilitation to at least 30 of them within three months,'' he said.

The West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has appealed to those having links with the KLO to surrender assuring them of rehabilitation. The State is prepared to arrange for their rehabilitation if they do so. A few weeks ago, during a visit to north Bengal, Mr. Bhattacharjee had made a similar appeal to KLO activists ready to lay down arms. Mr. Gupta said the surrendering militants would be provided with loans or trade licences.