Karnataka naxal surrender: The untold story of Gauramma’s efforts

Team Udayavani, Jan 13, 2025, 5:30 PM IST

In a remarkable turn of events, the recent surrender of six Naxals before Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was significantly influenced by an elderly woman named Gauramma from Kittalemane village near Kigga in Sringeri taluk.

Gauramma, a cattle grazer, played a key role as a mediator between the Naxals and the reconciliation committee. Her efforts over a span of 72 days laid the foundation for the surrender process. During her daily activities of grazing cattle, she reportedly came into contact with the Naxals, who began to trust her deeply. This trust became instrumental in initiating dialogues and building a bridge between the Naxals and the reconciliation team.

As a mediator, Gauramma carried letters between the Naxals and the reconciliation committee, walking distances of 20 to 30 kilometers to ensure communication between the parties. Her perseverance and dedication to peace were pivotal in the surrender process.

Prior to the recent encounter of Naxal leader Vikram Gowda near Hebri’s Kabbinahalli, reconciliation efforts were reportedly underway. Sources suggest that had the talks been successful, the encounter could have been avoided. However, the reconciliation process did not come to fruition in time to prevent the incident.