Chikkamagaluru: Another Naxalite surrendered before the police in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district on Saturday, February 1, marking a significant step towards the state becoming ‘Naxal free’.

“With this surrender, Karnataka is now Naxal-free,” Chikkamagaluru Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikram Amathe said.

Kotehonda Ravindra, 44, a resident of Kotehonda in Hulagaru Bail near Kigga, Sringeri Taluk, has been living in the forests. On Friday, he arrived from Sringeri and surrendered before SP Amathe.

He was then taken to Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj, where the formal surrender process was completed.

Amathe said, “Ravindra is classified as an ‘A’ category Naxal as per the new Surrender Policy that came into effect on March 14, 2024. Under the surrender package, he will receive Rs 7.5 lakh from the government. If he wants to, he will be provided skill training as well and will be given a monthly package of Rs 5,000.”

According to police, a total of 27 cases were registered against Ravindra, including the 13 cases in Chikkamagaluru.

Amathe also said so far, 21 Naxals have surrendered in Karnataka. Ravindra was involved in Naxal activities in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu and had remained underground since 2007.

“I have submitted demands to the government, including the development of roads in our village, land rights for the landless, and the removal of restrictions on collecting forest produce,” Ravindra told reporters.

On January 8, six Maoists – Latha Mundaguru, Vanajakshi Balehole, Sundari Kuthluru, Mareppa Aroli, K Vasanth (Tamil Nadu), and T N Jisha (Kerala) – surrendered in the presence of chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Others present during the surrender include Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer H S Keerthana, Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Committee member K P Shripal.