NHRC to probe Jharkhand surrender scam

New Delhi, July 23 (IANS) The NHRC will probe the alleged surrender scam in Jharkhand in which adivasi youths were asked to pose as Maoists and surrender for jobs, a commission official said Wednesday.

"The commission has directed its director general (investigation) to depute a team to conduct a thorough inquiry in the matter and submit a report within four weeks," said the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) official.

"The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that a surrender scam was allegedly perpetrated by a former Military Intelligence officer with the knowledge of CRPF officers to lure tribal youths in search of jobs in Jharkhand to pose as Naxalites desiring to surrender," said a statement.

It added: "In exchange, some of them had to sell their personal belongings like motorcycle, land to arrange for money which could secure them a job in army, paramilitary or state police through illegal means. But not everyone allegedly conned was rewarded. The media report cited examples of 18 victims of such a scam."