Maoist Tombattu Lakshmi surrenders in Udupi

Tombattu Lakshmi, a Maoist member from Tombattu village of Kundapura taluk in Udupi district, surrendered before Udupi District administration in Udupi on Sunday (February 2, 2025).

In her brief statement to media, Ms. Lakshmi said her native place still has no road connectivity and water facility and it lacks necessary healthcare facilities. She asked the Government to provide basic facilities for her village at the earliest.

Ms. Lakshmi said after reading the news about the recent surrender of six Maoist members she evinced interest in accepting the policy mooted by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. She voluntarily came forward for surrender and there was no pressure on her.

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She was then taken away by a team of Udupi police.

Shripal Gowda, a member of State committee meant to oversee the surrender policy of Maoists, told reporters that Ms. Lakshmi was the eighth Maoist to surrender in recent days. In all, 21 Maoists of Karnataka have surrendered so far. “With surrender of Lakshmi there are no Kannadigas active in Maoist movement,” he claimed. Maximum cases related to Maoists are have been registered in Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts.

The committee will approach the Karnataka High Court shortly for setting up a special court in the State for speedy trial of all the cases against surrendered Maoists. Ms. Lakshmi’s husband Saleem surrendered before Andhra Pradesh Government four years ago and all his cases were withdrawn, he said.

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Ms. Lakshmi was not actively involved in any Maoist activities in recent years. She voluntarily approached the committee and State Intelligence police officers to surrender. She is willing to fight the cases registered against her in Karnataka, Mr. Gowda said.

Udupi Superintendent of Police K. Arun said there were three cases registered against Ms. Lakshmi in 2007 and 2008 in Amasibailu police station limits in Udupi district. One case is related to exchange of fire between Maoists group and Anti Naxal Force (ANF) personnel, and another is case pertained to threatening a person and assaulting him. The third case is related to pasting of pamphlets related to Maoist activities. She was at large since 2007 and warrants were issued against her.

Sustained efforts by the local police, coupled with efforts by State police intelligence wing and ANF operation has led to surrender of the Maoist, who is accused in three long pending cases, Dr. Arun said.

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She will be medically examined and produced shortly before the jurisdiction sessions court. The police then will take her to their custody and question her in connection with the three cases.

Udupi Deputy Commissioner K. Vidyakumari said the district level Maoist surrender committee has included Ms. Lakshmi in “A” category of Maoists for which the State policy provides for compensation of ₹7 lakh. “We will send our recommendation to the Government, which will take suitable decision,” she said. The compensation amount will be paid in phases,” she said.

Ms. Lakshmi’s husband Saleem and a few of her family members were present.

Published - February 02, 2025 04:47 pm IST