No Issues with Maoists Surrendering at Chief Minister’s Office, Says Karnataka Home Minister

Bengaluru, Jan 9 (NationPress) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara remarked on Thursday that there is absolutely nothing inappropriate about Maoists surrendering at the Chief Minister’s office.

Addressing concerns about the surrender process of six Maoists, he emphasized, “A clear message must be sent to society that engaging in Naxal activities is unacceptable. When they surrender in front of the Chief Minister, it becomes widely recognized throughout the state. The government offers an opportunity for Naxals to transform. What is wrong with that?”

The Minister's comments were in reaction to Karnataka BJP General Secretary and MLA V. Sunil Kumar, who criticized the Siddaramaiah administration for facilitating the surrender of six Maoists, arguing that it was an attempt to cultivate urban naxals.

Sunil Kumar, representing the Maoist-affected Karkala Assembly constituency, stated, “This is a strategy to convert Maoists, currently operating in forests, into urban naxals. For years, the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) has conducted relentless operations against them, and this development is likely to demoralize the force,” he stressed.

Parameshwara replied, “Sunil Kumar’s constituency is significantly impacted by Naxal activities. Isn’t there an ANF in Karkala?”

“Upon surrendering, the Naxals were unarmed. They have discarded their weapons, and the police will investigate their disposal. The incidence of Naxal activities in the state has decreased by 99 percent. Among those who surrendered, several hail from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Our Chief Minister has pledged to engage with the Chief Ministers of those states. The surrendered Naxals have pending cases in other states, and those state governments need to make decisions as well,” Parameshwara stated.

Among the individuals who surrendered in front of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his office 'Krishna' in Bengaluru were 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.

On the agenda for the upcoming January 13 Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting, Parameshwara commented, “I am unaware of the agenda.”

In response to queries about infighting within the party and the CLP meeting being organized following the postponement of the SC and ST legislators' meeting, he clarified, “There is no confusion within the party. The SC/ST convention meeting was postponed for various reasons, including the attendance of AICC leaders.”

“The AICC leaders informed us of their participation, which led to the postponement. The notion that the AICC does not trust us is unfounded. You are fabricating trust issues, claiming one thing in the morning and another in the evening... State Congress in-charge and General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala communicated with me. There is no clandestine meeting. We hold meetings to address our issues, and I invited him to participate. He assured me he would propose a date, and we will schedule the meeting accordingly,” he explained.

When questioned about concerns regarding the meeting, he responded, “Who is worried about it? To my knowledge, there is no anxiety. There is no need for anyone to be concerned. I have made this clear before. I never indicated we would organize conventions outside the party. Can I address every rumor? Different individuals interpret situations differently. Has Dy CM D.K. Shivakumar ever said he is worried about me? Please refrain from making unfounded claims. Yesterday, I participated in events with him all day. We held a joint press conference. He never expressed any concern regarding me,” he clarified.

On the new AICC office in Delhi, he stated, “The foundation for the AICC office was laid in 2009. It faced delays for several years. Now, it is ready for inauguration, with the ceremony scheduled for January 15.”

Commenting on the recent stampede incident in Tirupati, he said, “The loss of lives in the stampede is tragic. Such events should not occur. May God grant the grieving families the strength to endure their loss. Currently, there is no information indicating that anyone from Karnataka was involved in the incident,” he remarked.