Rebels associated with Left Wing Extremist (LWE) groups in Jharkhand do want vaccine jabs against Covid-19, but the fear of arrest outweighs their need to protect themselves from the deadly virus, sources said on Sunday.
A former insurgent told this correspondent that he was caught years back when he was attending the marriage ceremony of his daughter in Palamu. He said he remained behind the bars till his daughter became mother of a baby.
He said police would show no mercy if they find a Naxal sitting on a chair taking a shot of vaccine in his arm.
Despite this risk he said he would ask the naxals to take the jab no matter what comes to them.
Sources said there should have been a separate appeal to the naxals from the state police headquarters to think of their health in the covid pandemic and take the jabs.
It may help them to reconsider the course of action on their part for the vaccination.
Like all, an extremist will have to come to the vaccination site twice for first dose and the second dose. The risk of getting caught by police is double, said sources.
Additional director general of police (Operations) Jharkhand Sanjay Anand Lathkar told this correspondent, "The naxals must surrender first. They should surrender to the court of law or before the government machinery."
Lathkar said so long the naxals continue to carry on their nefarious activities and indulgence in violence such health measures can't be reached to them.
He said health safety measures can't be accessed by them if they continue to subvert law.
“They must shun violence. They must profess to live peacefully and abide by law first before hoping to get the jabs,” reiterated the ADG Operations.
Lathkar said the naxals keep absconding and show utter disregard for the law of the land and in such a situation their pining for the jab is outlandish.
He said the naxals have a choice - health or hazard. He said he would ask the naxals to choose the first and for health they must raise their hands up in submission to law.
He said there is an attractive surrender policy and package for the naxals who shun their weapons, so the naxals should take help of the law and then their all health concerns will be well taken care of without failure. '
The ADG operations reminded that time may be running out for the naxals in regard to the vaccination as apprehension of the third wave of the coronavirus looms large.
He said there is a widespread talk of covid variants and so the naxals can't wait to remain unvaccinated for any long.
When told that law abiding eligible villagers living on the foothills of Burha Pahar, Jaigeer Pahar, Jhumra Pahar etc which are said to be the haven of the naxals, are made to wait for the jab just for fear of the naxals atop the hills the ADG Ops said, “I have no idea about it. There is a separate mechanism for the vaccination. I will refrain from making any comments on this matter."