Chilkari case: Death sentence for Maoists too harsh, says Babulal Marandi

Former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi, who lost his son in the Chilkari massacre, today said the death sentence given to Maoists for the killing was too "harsh" and asked the state government to initiate talks with the rebels.

"The government should initiate a dialogue with extremists to end the scourge in Jharkhand. If the Maoists are repentant they should be forgiven, and taken back into the mainstream," Marandi told reporters in Jamshedpur.

Asked about the court order sentencing four Maoists to death in connection with the 2007 Chilkari massacre, Marandi said, "I am not happy with the death sentence as it is too harsh a punishment. I would advise them (four Maoists) to go for appeal in a higher court against the verdict."

Marandi, who had lost his son, Anup, in the massacre along with 19 villagers on October 26, 2007 at Chilkari in Giridih district, had campaigned against extremism in Giridih district before the massacre took place.

The state government has started 'Operation Nai Disa' from October last year to bring back misguided youth into mainstream.

So far over 30 extremists of different banned outfits, including CPI (Maoist,) surrendered before the police and would get benefits under the state’s surrender policy.