Annamalai Questions Transparency in Naxal Surrender Process

Mangaluru: Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai has raised concerns about the integrity of the Naxal surrender process, particularly surrounding the encounter of Vikram Gowda. During his visit to Mangaluru, where he met MLA Vedavyas Kamath before attending a literary festival, Annamalai called for greater transparency and accountability.

Sharing insights from his experience in handling Naxal surrenders during his tenure in Chikkamagaluru, he highlighted that such processes traditionally involve negotiations, addressing grievances, facilitating rehabilitation, and ensuring legal proceedings for surrendered Naxals. “The current process seems opaque, leading to public distrust,” he remarked.

Annamalai expressed scepticism about possible political interference, stating, “The surrender and encounter mechanisms appear questionable, requiring investigation to safeguard democracy and civil society’s confidence.” He criticized the alleged “red-carpet” treatment for surrendered individuals, suggesting it undermines the policy’s credibility.

He stressed that Naxal surrenders must remain a transparent collaboration between police and district authorities, warning that a lack of public trust could damage the democratic framework.

Annamalai urged an independent probe into the matter to ensure accountability and rebuild trust in the system, emphasizing that public confidence is essential for the success of surrender policies.

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