Karnataka BJP Calls Maoists' Surrender Before CM Siddaramaiah a ‘Theatrical Stunt’

Bengaluru, Jan 10 (NationPress) Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra stated on Friday that the surrender of six Maoists before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his office Krishna was nothing more than a theatrical stunt. During a press briefing in Bengaluru, he expressed skepticism about the motives behind the event, questioning why the Chief Minister felt the need to invite all Naxals to his office.

“What happened to the weapons? Even now, the police have not been able to recover the arms from the surrendered Naxals. I find it hard to comprehend the situation. It seems to me that the surrender of these Naxalites was purely dramatic,” Vijayendra remarked.

In addition, BJP State General Secretary and MLA V. Sunil Kumar raised multiple questions about the Naxal surrender incident, emphasizing that officials must provide answers. He questioned how the surrender process concluded so rapidly and whether it appeared to be a pre-planned spectacle. He further inquired about the missing firearms that should have been surrendered alongside the Naxals and why this protocol was not followed.

Sunil Kumar also posed concerns regarding the custody of the weapons, implying they might have been hidden in urban locations for future use. Additionally, he expressed doubts about the encounter involving Naxal Vikram Gowda, who reportedly opposed the surrender package, and suggested that the circumstances surrounding his location warrant an investigation.

“On what grounds is the government claiming that Karnataka is now free from Naxal activity? Can the ANF (Anti-Naxal Force) Commander or the Director General of Police confirm this assertion?” Sunil Kumar demanded. He also sought clarification on the financial expenditure related to the rehabilitation of communities near forest areas.

Earlier, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara mentioned that based on recent intelligence about Maoist activities, the six individuals who surrendered are thought to be the last remaining in the state.

He further addressed the case of one Maoist, Ravindra, who has not been located despite claims that Karnataka is free from Maoist influence. According to Parameshwara, it is believed that the group of surrendered Maoists expelled Ravindra, and the reasons behind this action are currently under investigation.

“If anyone else surfaces, they will be monitored,” he added, also stating that the request for compensation for the family of the slain Maoist Vikram Gowda would be reviewed.

The surrendered Maoists are thought to have discarded their weapons in the forest, and efforts are underway by the police to locate them, Parameshwara confirmed.

Addressing the BJP's accusations that the government lacks commitment in recovering the weapons compared to its dedication to rehabilitating the Maoists, he stated, “We are fulfilling our responsibilities.”

“The police will take the necessary steps to uncover where the weapons have been concealed in the forest. There is a process in place for this, and the police will follow it. Doesn’t the BJP understand this? They have governed the state before and are aware of how the police operate,” he remarked.

He clarified that the cases of surrendered Maoists and the encounter of Vikram Gowda are separate matters. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah welcomed the surrendered Maoists into the mainstream earlier this week by presenting them with roses and copies of the Indian Constitution at his office, Krishna, in Bengaluru.

With the surrender of these six individuals, the Congress-led government has proclaimed Karnataka free from Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).