Karnataka Government Calls on Maoists to Surrender and Reintegrate

Bengaluru, Dec 30 (NationPress) The Congress-led Karnataka government has issued a request to the Maoists to surrender and reintegrate into society, alongside a warning that it will not hesitate to take strict action.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made this appeal on Monday through a statement following a meeting.

"The government wishes for individuals engaged in Maoist activities to surrender and become part of the mainstream.

Several leaders from progressive and people-centric organizations advocating for the Maoists to assimilate into the democratic framework and aiming to prevent loss of life from any side have met with me regarding this matter.

To maintain law and order and ensure peace in Karnataka, the government will not hesitate to implement stringent measures."

However, should the Maoists express a willingness to engage in dialogue to integrate back into society, the government is open to this process within the bounds of the law and will approach it with compassion, the Chief Minister urged.

Maoist actions have not been widespread in Karnataka compared to neighboring states.

Nonetheless, sporadic Maoist activities have been noted in the Malnad region over the last twenty years, resulting in violence and loss of life, the Chief Minister mentioned.

This has led to the deaths of many innocent individuals, police personnel, and those involved in Maoist activities.

While it is tragic that idealists seeking change through armed conflict lose their lives and cause harm to others, a government that operates within the Constitution cannot remain passive, CM Siddaramaiah emphasized.

"Our government desires that all Maoists in Karnataka fully surrender and rejoin the mainstream," the Chief Minister reiterated.

The government has already established a surrender policy for Maoists, assuring that this policy will be made clear and implemented transparently.

According to the surrender policy, financial support will be provided in phases, and surrendered Maoists who return their weapons to the government will receive incentives, skill training, and comprehensive assistance for rehabilitation.

These initiatives will be treated with compassion and given priority, he stated.

The government guarantees that pending cases against them will be resolved swiftly and that legal assistance will be made available, he assured.

Efforts are also underway to identify and meet the needs of Maoists who have already surrendered and to assist in their rehabilitation, he maintained.

"At the same time, I want to clarify that anyone engaging in violent actions or taking the law into their own hands will face strict legal repercussions from our government," he warned.

Karnataka police recently killed the most wanted Maoist leader Vikram Gowda in an encounter in the Kabbinale forest area within the Hebri police jurisdiction of Udupi district on November 19.

Three of Vikram Gowda's associates managed to escape from the police forces. Authorities continue combing operations in the region, stated Parameshwara.

Sources indicate that the Maoists are attempting to establish a base in the coastal Karnataka region and the Malnad (hilly) areas following discussions about the implementation of the Kasturirangan report, which suggests the eviction of farmers to protect the Western Ghats.

The farmers in the coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, and Malnad areas of Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga will be impacted by the report's implementation.