Six Naxals in Karnataka to surrender?

Team Udayavani, Sep 29, 2024, 9:59 AM IST

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Karkala: Reports suggest that six suspected Naxals, led by Vikram Gowda, are considering surrendering to the authorities. This rumor is gaining traction in the Western Ghats region, raising hopes for a peaceful resolution to their insurgency.

Sources within the police department have indicated that the group has been active in the Western Ghats forests recently. There are strong suspicions that these Naxals have set up camp in the region, which is under the surveillance of Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) team stationed there. The ANF is continuing its operations in the area, and talks of surrender have led to internal discussions within the department.

What’s Driving the Naxals Towards Surrender?

The Karnataka government had earlier released a wanted list featuring 22 Naxals, many of whom were either killed in encounters or surrendered over time. At present, approximately 6-8 Naxals remain active in the state, with only a few native to Karnataka. The remaining active Naxals are believed to be from states like Kerala, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, where government crackdowns on Naxal activities have intensified. Additionally, internal disagreements within Naxal groups and dwindling support from local civilians in Kerala are believed to have pushed this group towards surrender.

Past Surrenders in Karnataka

So far, 14 Naxals have surrendered in Karnataka under the state’s Naxal rehabilitation package. The government has announced comprehensive surrender packages to facilitate the reintegration of these individuals into mainstream society. Notable surrenders include individuals like Venkatesh, Jaya, Saroja, and Mallika in 2010, and others like Sirimane Nagaraj and Noor Zulfikar in 2014.

Recent years saw more surrenders, including Bharati, Fatima, Padmanabh, and Parashuram in 2016, followed by Kanyakumari, Shivu, and Chennamma in 2017. These surrenders significantly weakened Naxal activity in the Malnad and Western Ghats regions, particularly after the arrest of leaders like B.G. Krishnamurthy and Savithri.

Why Are Naxals Surrendering Now?

The reasons for their willingness to surrender seem to stem from a combination of factors:

• Internal divisions within the Naxal groups.
• Diminished support from civilians, particularly in regions like Kerala.
• Increased counter-insurgency operations in neighboring states such as Jharkhand, Kerala, and Chhattisgarh.

Mediation Efforts in Coastal Karnataka

The Karnataka government has formed a state-level committee focused on the surrender and rehabilitation of Naxals. The committee’s goal is to reintegrate these individuals into society, ensuring that they leave behind violent activities. Reports suggest that a mediator from the coastal region is involved in negotiations to facilitate the surrender of Vikram Gowda and his group.

Government’s Rehabilitation Package

The Karnataka government offers attractive surrender packages to those who lay down their arms, with amounts reaching up to Rs 7.5 lakh depending on the category of the Naxals. According to Jitendra Kumar Dayama, Superintendent of Police ANF, ongoing efforts are being made to bring Naxals back into mainstream society. “If they surrender, they will be eligible for various rehabilitation benefits, including cash packages,” he said.

KP Sripala, a member of the state’s Naxal surrender and rehabilitation committee, welcomed the potential surrender but made it clear that ongoing legal cases against these individuals will not be dropped. “We will expedite the legal process, but all cases will be handled within the framework of the law. We will provide financial support and necessary facilities to help reintegrate them. Moreover, they will be encouraged to fight for their rights through constitutional and legal means,” he added.