6 Naxals to surrender in Karnataka, place several demands with the government
The six Naxals are expected to give up arms at the office of the deputy commissioner of Chikkamagaluru soon.
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Since 2010, as many as 13 Naxals have surrendered in Chikkamagaluru. (Express Photo/Representative)Six Naxals are expected to surrender in the next couple of days in Karnataka following efforts by the Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Committee even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he had given a call for the left-wing ultras to join the mainstream and hinted at the possibility of the same.
Left-wing organisations and rights groups have held multiple meetings with Mundagaru Latha, Sundari Kuthluru, Vanajakshi Balaehole, Mareppa Aroli, K Vasantha, and T N Jeesh to ensure their surrender.
According to sources, they are expected to give up arms at the office of the deputy commissioner of Chikkamagaluru soon.
In the last week of December, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the group to join the mainstream as he assured financial assistance as part of the surrender policy, and said they would be eligible for incentives, skill training, and comprehensive rehabilitation measures.
On Monday, Siddaramaiah said, “The process of bringing them to the mainstream is underway”.
The six Naxals have placed several demands on the government, including five-acre land for landless families, rejecting the Kasturirangan report, measures to prevent farmers living near forests from being evicted, and all Adivasi families be provided with land and homes, among others.
According to sources, a special court for the speedy trial of cases against Naxals is also being considered by the government, following complaints that many left-wing ultras who surrendered in the past were faced with a prolonged trial.
The surrender policy in Karnataka was introduced during Siddaramaiah’s tenure as CM between 2013 and 2018, following efforts by activists such as H S Doreswamy and Gauri Lankesh. Since 2010, as many as 13 Naxals have surrendered in Chikkamagaluru. The recent instance was in 2016 when three Naxals, Kanyakumari, Jnanadev, and Suma surrendered before the state-appointed panel.
In 2024, Vikram Gowda was killed in an encounter by the Anti-Naxal Force after which only seven Naxals were suspected to be operating in the forests of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Of the seven, six will surrender while one Jayanna alias John is yet to be contacted by the surrender committee.
Other Naxals who have surrendered in the past include Hagalaganji Venkatesh, Mallika, Sirimane Nagaraj, Noor Sridhar, Rizwana Begum and Parashuram, among others.
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