Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 8 (HBTV): The Karnataka government on Wednesday announced a reward of INR 3 lakh, along with other facilities, for the six Naxals who surrendered in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today in Bengaluru.

The six Naxalites surrendered in Bengaluru on Wednesday in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara, and senior police officials.

The surrendered Naxalites were Mundagaaru Latha and Vanajakshi from Chikkamagaluru, Sundari from Dakshina Kannada, Jish from Kerala, Vasanth K from Tamil Nadu, and Marappa Aroli from Raichur.

Internal Security DGP Pranab Mohanty said, 'Six main Naxal leaders of South India, four from Karnataka and one each from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, have surrendered. They had been a part of the movement for the past 25 years and led the Naxal movement through South India. Their surrender marks an important watershed moment and also the end of Naxalism in Karnataka... We have seen these results due to the continuous efforts of the anti-Naxal force from the Internal Security division for the last 3-4 months... We hope that this brings an end to the chapter of Naxals in Karnataka. I am quite sure they were the last of the Naxal leaders.'

According to officials, the Naxalites handed over their uniforms and a surrender letter, marking a significant step towards mainstreaming individuals previously associated with the Naxalite movement.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah praised their decision to return to the mainstream and assured them that the government would address their demands.  

(ANI)