Karnataka Declared Naxal-Free As Last Underground Maoists Surrender

In a breakthrough, Kotehonda Ravi, the last active underground Naxalite, surrendered at Nemmar Forest IB, located 4 km from Sringeri.

Kotehonda Ravi, the last active underground Naxalite, surrendered at Nemmar Forest IB.

Source : Special arrangement

Karnataka has officially been declared a Naxal-free state with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announcing the successful surrender of the last remaining underground Maoists.

In a breakthrough, Kotehonda Ravi, the last active underground Naxalite, surrendered at Nemmar Forest IB, located 4 km from Sringeri. He is currently being transported to Chikkamagaluru, where the formal surrender process will take place. Additionally, Thombattu Lakshmi, another long-absconding underground Maoist, is expected to surrender in Chikkamagaluru or Udupi on Sunday, marking the completion of the Operation Naxal Surrender.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara, and DGP Alok Mohan, Karnataka’s State Intelligence carried out the operation for elimination of Naxalite activities across the state.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah commended the efforts of the police and announced the Chief Minister’s Medal for a team of 22 police officers who played a crucial role in the operation. He lauded their relentless efforts in eradicating left-wing extremism, making Karnataka a completely Naxal-free state.

This marks a significant milestone in the state's internal security, ending decades of Maoist activity in Karnataka’s forested regions.

On January 8, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah welcomed six surrendered Maoists into the mainstream in Bengaluru by offering them roses and copies of the Constitution. The Congress-led Karnataka government subsequently declared the state free from Left-Wing Extremism.

The individuals who laid down arms included Mundagaru Latha from Sringeri’s Mundagaru, Vanajakshi from Balehole in Kalasa, Sundari from Kutluru near Mangaluru, Marappa Jayanna Aroli from Raichur, Vasantha T., also known as Ramesh, from Tamil Nadu, and N. Jeesha from Kerala.

Addressing the media, CM Siddaramaiah reiterated the government’s dedication to eliminating Naxalism and resolving their concerns within the legal framework.

"There is no room in democracy or the Constitution for achieving justice through armed struggle," he said, as per a report on IANS.