Police play hosts as surrendered Naxals marry in Chhattisgarh; wedding gifts include a job

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Police has begun a new experiment to try and end the long drawn out guerilla war with Naxals in the restive Bastar region of the state.

This time their weapon of choice is not the AK-47. Instead, the police are trying a soft, humane, approach to wean away naxalites.

On Saturday, Jagdalpur- the biggest town in south Chhattisgarh – was the venue for a special wedding. Former naxals Podiyami Laxman and Markam tied the knot in presence of government officials and people from various walks of life in Jagdalpur with the local police turning into revellers for the ceremony as wished by the couple.

"The newly-married couple who had surrendered earlier were also appointed as constables in district police," Bastar Superintendent of Police R N Das said.

He referred to a provision under which state government can offer job to naxals who have laid down arms and joined the mainstream.

Markam had worked as a member of the Platoon no. 26 of Darbha Division Committee before she turned herself in before police last year. Laxman, who served as a deputy commander of Indravati Area Committee, had laid down arms in 2014.

The marriage could be made possible with the 'Samajik Ekta Manch', an NGO, bearing the expenses for the bride Markam while police have taken Laxman under their wings.

Their love blossomed while they were working as Naxal cadres, but they could not muster courage to express their love or get married as it is forbidden for ultras.