Udupi, 3rd Feb. In a historic development, Lakshmi, the last known Maoist in Karnataka, unconditionally surrendered before Udupi Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari and Superintendent of Police Arun K on Sunday. Her surrender marks the official end of Naxal activity in the state, as declared by the Karnataka government.
Final Surrender Ends Naxal Presence in Karnataka
Lakshmi, who had been in hiding in Andhra Pradesh, was wanted in three cases registered at Amasebail and Shankaranarayana police stations in Kundapur taluk, dating back to 2007-08. These cases include charges of engaging in an exchange of fire with the police, assault, and propagating Maoist literature in villages.
Accompanied by State Naxal Surrender Committee member Sripal and her husband Salim— a former Maoist who surrendered in Andhra Pradesh in 2020— Lakshmi decided to give up her underground life after 15 years of insurgency.
“I tried to surrender earlier under the Karnataka government’s protocol, but it was not facilitated. Now, with the surrender committee’s efforts, I have been able to return to the mainstream,” she told journalists after her surrender. She thanked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the government’s rehabilitation package and requested that pending charges against her be dropped.
Surrender Package and Government’s Stand
Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari confirmed that Lakshmi falls under the ‘A’ category of surrender, which is designated for Karnataka-origin Maoists. Under the surrender package norms, she is entitled to ₹7 lakh, distributed over three years, along with support for education, rehabilitation, and employment opportunities.
“The government is committed to ensuring the reintegration of surrendered Maoists into society through structured rehabilitation efforts,” she said.
Sripal, a member of the surrender committee, urged the state to expedite the disposal of cases against surrendered Maoists, enabling them to lead normal lives. “Due to the committee’s efforts, 22 Maoists have surrendered in 2025, making Karnataka officially Naxal-free,” he stated.
Karnataka Officially Declared Naxal-Free
Following Lakshmi’s surrender, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the state has eradicated Maoist activity. The Chief Minister’s Office issued a press release reiterating that Karnataka is now free from Naxal insurgency. In recognition of efforts by law enforcement, Siddaramaiah also announced the Chief Minister’s Medal for 22 police officers who played a crucial role in eliminating the Naxal presence.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway to streamline legal proceedings for Naxals from Karnataka and Kerala, with proposals to conduct trials at a unified court in Shivamogga, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, or Bengaluru’s NIA court. Authorities are also considering providing defense counsels to surrendered Maoists to ensure a fair legal process.
With Lakshmi’s surrender, Karnataka turns the page on a decades-long Maoist insurgency, paving the way for peace and development in former Naxal-affected regions.
The post Karnataka Declared ‘Naxal-Free’ as Last Maoist Lakshmi Surrenders appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
