K'taka now Maoist-free': Siddaramaiah welcomes surrender of 6 rebels

‘We are joining the mainstream, abjuring the path of violence, to continue our pro-people struggle in a democratic and constitutional way. We assure the people that we will fight for them till our last breath’ MUNDAGARU LATHA, Senior Maoist from Sringeri

- Arun Dev

BENGALURU: Karnataka has now become a "Maoist-free" state, chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday, welcoming the surrender of six prominent insurgents who laid down arms in Chikkamagaluru district.

Of the six rebels who surrendered, four are from Karnataka - Mundagaaru Latha, Sundari, Jayanna, and Vanajakshi. The other two - Vasantha T aka Ramesh and N Jeesha - are from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, respectively.

Latha Mundagaru, one of the key Maoist leaders, handed over her uniform to the CM along with a copy of her memorandum.

Siddaramaiah welcomed Mundagaru and her five associates by giving them roses and copies of the Constitution, and assured that the state government would sincerely try to address their demands.

He said: "I welcome those from the Maoist movement who have decided to abandon violence and join the mainstream of society. Our government will sincerely consider and act on their demands. I have always respected democratic struggles against injustice and exploitation. Our Constitution also allows for such struggles."