Six Maoists Journey to Bengaluru to Surrender to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
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Bengaluru, Jan 8 (NationPress) Six Maoists active in the coastal and hilly terrains of Karnataka have stepped out from the forests located in Chikkamagaluru district on Wednesday, making their way to Bengaluru to formally surrender to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The group is expected to arrive in Bengaluru around 3 p.m. and is scheduled for a meeting with CM Siddaramaiah at his official residence, Krishna, in Bengaluru to initiate the surrender process.
The 'Shantigaagi Naagarikara Vedike' (Citizens Forum for Peace) is overseeing the surrender. Sirimane Nagaraj, a member of the forum, mentioned on Wednesday that this represents the final group of Maoists intending to surrender to the Chief Minister. “It is CM Siddaramaiah’s desire that these Maoists present themselves to him, and in light of this, our team, along with the Naxals, is proceeding to Bengaluru,” he stated.
Ashok, another forum member, affirmed that there is clarity regarding the surrender process. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is invested in this matter, and the surrender is being conducted in response to his call. Of the six Naxals, two hail from adjacent states and face no serious allegations; they only contend with minor charges,” he added.
B.T. Lalita Naik, a former minister and a key figure in the surrender process, remarked, “The Maoists have expressed that their self-esteem and dignity are paramount. “With confidence in achieving their demands, the Naxals are stepping forward to surrender. The state government under CM Siddaramaiah is inclined to respect their sentiments. The Naxals are coming forward because CM Siddaramaiah is leading and they believe only he can deliver justice.”
“This is due to the numerous cases they face. The state government manages the welfare of millions, and it will not be difficult for them to provide for six individuals who wish to reintegrate into society,” she elaborated.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara addressed the media in Bengaluru, stating, “I can confirm that Naxals are surrendering. Further details cannot be disclosed at this moment. We will update you later regarding their demands and our strategies. We have encouraged the surrender. Following the encounter involving Vikram Gowda, I urged the Naxals to surrender and abandon their current path. On these grounds, senior and junior personnel from the Anti-Naxal Force have been actively involved,” he explained.
“The ANF officials have urged them to reconsider their position in the forests and to rejoin the mainstream. It is acknowledged that they have various cases against them, including murder charges; however, we will evaluate applicable legal provisions once the surrender process concludes,” he noted.
The Maoists surrendering to the CM include Mundagaru Latha from Mundagaru in Sringeri, Vanajakshi from Balehoe in Kalasa, Sundari from Kuntaluru near Mangaluru, Marappa Aroli from Raichur, Vasantha T. from Tamil Nadu, and N. Jeesha from Kerala.
