Karnataka police reopen 2012 case against surrendered Maoist as rehabilitation promises remain unfulfilled
Karnataka police have reopened cold cases against surrendered Maoists, citing new witness identifications despite previous closures. Rehabilitation committee members allege the state government has failed to honor surrender agreements, including promises of legal support and timely release from prison.
Why it matters
The situation highlights a breakdown in trust between the state and former insurgents, potentially discouraging future surrenders and complicating the reintegration of individuals into society.
The Karnataka police have reopened a 2012 case in Sakleshpur’s Yeslur against a surrendered Maoist, while preparations are under way to reopen another case in Dakshina Kannada against four others, even as the surrendered Maoists are hoping for an early release from prison.
The development comes amid reports that Kotehonda Ravindra, one of the surrendered Maoists, has gone on a hunger strike in a Keralam prison despite having fallen “seriously ill”. Meanwhile, members of the Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Committee allege that the State government is yet to honour its commitments to the Maoists made during their surrender.
A senior police officer said the reopened case pertains to an alleged exchange of gunfire between the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) and the Maoists in 2012 near Sakleshpur. Slain Maoist leader Vikram Gowda and Ravindra have been named as accused in the case.
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