Kotehonda Ravindra, the final remaining Naxalite in Karnataka, is set to surrender today at 11 AM at the Superintendent of Police (SP) office in Chikkamagaluru. Ravindra, a resident of Kotehonda village in Kigga, Sringeri taluk, had been living in the forests, evading authorities for years.
Earlier, on January 8, a group of Maoists, including Latha Mundaguru, Vanajakshi Balehole, Sundari Kutturu, Marappa Aroli, K. Vasanth (Tamil Nadu), and T.N. Jisha (Kerala), laid down their arms. Their surrender was accepted in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and they were subsequently taken into judicial custody.
Unlike the others, Ravindra had lost contact with the group. Persistent efforts by the Shanthigagi Nagarika Vedike and the Naxal Surrender Committee finally convinced him to rejoin mainstream society. Committee members KP Shripal and KL Ashok confirmed his willingness to surrender.
Officials announced that Ravindra surrendered at Nemmar Forest IB, 4 km from Sringeri, and was being transported to Chikkamagaluru. Another long-absconding Naxalite, Thombattu Lakshmi, is also expected to surrender tomorrow in either Chikkamagaluru or Udupi.
With this, Karnataka has been officially declared Naxal-free under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, and DGP Alok Mohan. The state government has announced the Chief Minister’s Medal for 22 police personnel who played a key role in this successful operation.
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