Vanajakshi's friend Yashoda and her brother Umesh met her during her surrender in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Credit: DH Photo
Kalasa: Vanajakshi, a senior member among the group of six naxalites who recently surrendered before the Karnataka government to join the mainstream, hails from Bhadra Site near Balehole in Kalasa taluk.
For the past two decades, she had been in the Naxal movement. Now, she is eager to leave the forest and return to her hometown, her family members say.
Vanajakshi, left her home in 2003 to be a part of the Naxalite movement.
Her brother Umesh, who went to Bengaluru to see her, took some time to recognise her due to her physical transformation.
During a heartfelt conversation with her brother, Vanajakshi shared her thoughts about her future. At 58, she expressed a clear intention to distance herself from the Naxalite movement and return to society, Umesh said.
Vanajakshi hopes to resolve the 15 cases against her soon and settle in Kalasa, Umesh further said. Vanajakshi had married Suresh from Angadi village near Mudigere while involved in the Naxalite movement.
Last year, Suresh was injured during an elephant attack in Kerala and was subsequently arrested by Kerala police and is imprisoned.
Vanajakshi is interested in farming if she receives the rehabilitation package and two acres of land promised by the government. She also wishes to be with her husband once his cases are resolved, Umesh stated.
In her youth, Vanajakshi was recognized in the faction of then Congress leader D K Tharadevi. Vanajakshi was a member of the Idakini Gram Panchayat from 1997 but was drawn into the Naxalite movement before completing her term.
Despite being a gram panchayat member, she felt helpless and disillusioned about her inability to serve the oppressed classes.
Vanajakshi actively participated in protests against reserved forests, Adakodu stream water issues, and Kudremukh National Park in Kalasa. Subsequently, she became part of the naxalite movement.
"My sister, after being in the naxalite movement for two decades, has decided to leave it and return to the mainstream. May she find peace in her future," Umesh hopes.
There is curiosity about whether the government will provide Vanajakshi land for rehabilitation in the Kalasa and what her future life will be like.