Six ‘Maoists’ to surrender in Chikkamagaluru, return to mainstream

Representatives of the State committee to oversee the naxal surrender policy and members of Shantigagi Nagarikara Vedike met suspected Maoists at an undisclosed place recently.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A group of six suspected Maoists is expected to appear before officers of the Chikkamagaluru district administration in Chikkamagaluru on Wednesday and make a statement to return to the mainstream, giving up the armed struggle.

With this development, the Maoist movement as we know it today is all set to come to an end in Karnataka, according to police officers.

Who will surrender

Mundagaru Latha, Sundari Kuthlur, Vanajakshi Balehole, and Mareppa Aroli of Karnataka, K. Vasanth of Tamil Nadu, and Jeesha of Kerala are expected to walk into the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Chikkamagaluru on Wednesday. Their appeal to return to the mainstream has been ratified by the State-level committee to oversee the implementation of the naxal surrender policy, headed by the Chief Secretary of Karnataka.

Among the six people expected to surrender on Wednesday, four from Karnataka are in the ‘A category’, facing serious charges, and two from other States are in the ‘B category’. The committee has resolved to offer ₹3 lakh each, the first instalment of the financial support, to those who surrender, as per the policy. The two from other States will get ₹2 lakh each. They will get the money only after bank accounts are opened in their names.

To make a statement

They will make a statement before the officers, and the police will take them into custody. “They will not walk away free. As per the policy, they will have to undergo the procedure as per the law, depending on the cases they are facing. The police will present them before a judicial magistrate and also conduct a mahajar in cases in which investigation is still going on,” said a senior police officer. However, they can apply for bail in due course.

Members of the State committee to oversee the implementation of the surrender policy, Banjagere Jayaprakash, K.P. Sripal, Bilidale Parvatheesha, and representatives of Shantigagi Nagarikara Vedike, made efforts to convey the Maoists’ opinions to the State government and made consultations at both ends. Mr. Sripal, advocate, Noor Sridhar, Nagaragere Ramesh, and others of Shantigagi Nagarikara Vedike met the suspected Maoists at an unknown place recently and held talks.

Senior police officers of Internal Security, State Intelligence, Anti-Naxal Force, Counter Intelligence, and others have coordinated with the committee members. “With the surrender of six people, the Maoist movement will come to an end in Karnataka,” said a senior police officer.

One left group

One more person, Ravi, who was active in the movement, has already left the group. Efforts to reach him have not succeeded so far, according to members of the committee.