Bangalore, Sep 3 (IANS) Karnataka Friday offered a monthly stipend of Rs.2,000 for vocational training and up to Rs.200,000 as a grant-cum-loan to Maoists who surrender.

Dropping cases against them will be considered sympathetically, the government said while announcing a carrot-and-stick policy.

The sops apply only to people belonging to Karnataka and will be available till May next year, an official statement said.

Maoists are active in the hilly Malnad region of the state comprising Shimoga and parts of Chikmaglur, Hassan, Kodagu and the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

There are frequent reports of armed Maoists entering isolated villages and distributing pamphlets asking people to support them or threatening them for food and finances.

The state has set up an anti-Maoist force to combat them.

The statement said: 'The Karnataka administration has adopted a two pronged approach to curb left wing extremists activities in Malnad districts of Karnataka. On the one hand, efforts are being made to give a responsive administration in the area, on the other hand, to deal with illegal and violent activities with firm hand.'

Appealing to the youth who have been drawn to militancy to shun violence, the statement urged them to take advantage of the government's surrender policy.

Besides the monthly stipend and the grant-cum-loan, the government will offer rewards ranging from Rs.500 to Rs.25,000 for surrendering weapons, explosives and communication equipment.

Additional incentives will be given for providing information leading to capture of other extremists, the statement said.

The surrender policy will be executed by a district committee headed by the deputy commissioner of the district, the statement said.

The members will be the superintendent of police of the district who will be the convenor, the chief executive officer of the zilla panchayat, the district social welfare officer and a member of any civil-social oganisation nominated by the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police.