Karnataka Government Declares End of Maoist Presence After Six Surrender

Bengaluru, Jan 10 (NationPress) Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara revealed on Friday that, according to the latest reports regarding Maoist activities in the state, the six individuals who recently surrendered are thought to be the final members active in Karnataka.

Responding to inquiries from the media, he addressed the issue of one Maoist, Ravindra, who has yet to be captured, despite the government's announcement of Karnataka being a "Maoist-free state".

On the subject of Ravindra's disappearance, the Home Minister mentioned that the group of surrendered Maoists reportedly expelled him. However, the reasons behind his expulsion remain unclear, and investigations are currently ongoing.

"If anyone else surfaces, they will be closely monitored," he stated. In response to a request for compensation for the family of Vikram Gowda, a Maoist who was killed in an encounter, he assured that the request would be examined.

The surrendered Maoists are believed to have disposed of their weapons in the forest, and the police are actively searching for them, according to Parameshwara.

Addressing allegations from the BJP, which claimed the government lacked commitment in locating the weapons compared to their rehabilitation efforts for the Maoists, he asserted, "We are fulfilling our responsibilities."

"The police will utilize the necessary resources to uncover where the weapons are concealed in the forest. There is a systematic approach to this, and the police will follow it diligently. Doesn't the BJP understand this? They have governed the state before; isn't it the same police department?" the Minister added.

He also clarified that the cases involving surrendered Maoists differ from that of the encountered Maoist Vikram Gowda.

Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah welcomed the surrendered Maoists into society on Wednesday, presenting them with roses and copies of the Indian Constitution at his office, ‘Krishna’, in Bengaluru.

Following the surrender of the six Maoists, the Congress-led government has proclaimed Karnataka a Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-free state.

A special NIA court has remanded the six surrendered Maoists to judicial custody until January 30.

The individuals who surrendered include Mundagaru Latha from Mundagaru in Sringeri; Vanajakshi from Balehole in Kalasa; Sundari from Kutluru near Mangaluru; Marappa Jayanna Aroli from Raichur; Vasantha T. aka Ramesh from Tamil Nadu; and T.N. Jeesha from Kerala.

The Karnataka BJP has criticized the Congress government for providing favorable treatment to the Maoists and facilitating their surrender.

The Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Chikkamagaluru has approved a subsidy of Rs 3 lakh for each surrendered Maoist under the Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation scheme for Left-Wing Extremists.

Among the eight identified Maoists in Karnataka, Vikram Gowda was killed in an encounter, six have surrendered, and one, Ravindra, remains at large.

Ravindra, who hails from Sringeri in Chikkamagaluru district, is facing 14 criminal cases and has not engaged with groups aimed at reintegrating Maoists into society.

According to police sources, Ravindra has been untraceable for the past 18 years.