Encouraged by rehab package, Maoist Lakshmi surrenders in Karnataka's Udupi

Udupi: Lakshmi, a Maoist from Thombattu village in Kundapura of Karnataka, has surrendered to the authorities in Udupi, asserting that her decision was voluntary and not influenced by external pressure. She has, however, placed demands before the state government for basic facilities such as schools, roads, hospitals, and clean drinking water in her village and poverty eradication .

Speaking to mediapersons, she said that she was encouraged by the recent Naxal rehabilitation packages announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. She described her decision as a step towards reintegration into mainstream society.

Lakshmi reportedly joined the Maoist movement after being influenced by several leaders, including Vikram Gowda, who was recently killed in an encounter at Peetebailu in Kabbinale. According to police records, she went missing on March 6, 2006, and later became a key member of the Varahi and Karavali Naxal divisions.

Born into a family of six children, Lakshmi is the fifth child of Panju Poojary and Abbakka Poojary. She studied up to the seventh grade and initially gained recognition for her involvement in social movements, particularly protests against poor road infrastructure and liquor shops in her village. Her activism eventually led to her recruitment into the Naxal ranks, where she became known for her singing abilities.

Reports suggest that Lakshmi had previously surrendered to the Andhra Pradesh police in 2009. She later married Maoist Sanjeev, alias Saleem, and was currently leading a family life in Andhra Pradesh.

Lakshmi is implicated in three criminal cases related to Maoist activities, the lowest number among her associates.

Lakshmi is accused of participating in an armed attack on police personnel conducting a combing operation at Kortugundi, Charu, Bachalu in Machattu village, under the Shankaranarayana police station limits. She and her associates allegedly trespassed into the house of Narayana Naik in Hanji village and threatened him at gunpoint. Lakshmi is also accused of putting up anti-ANF (Anti-Naxal Force) banners and pamphlets at a shop and on a tree belonging to Tombattu Shekhar Shetty in Machattu village.

Hopeful of settling all cases

Lakshmi's husband Saleem, alias Sanjeev Kumar, said that he and his family have come with a hope to settle all cases against his wife after hearing assurances from the Chief Minister.

Speaking to reporters, Saleem clarified that he hails from Pavagada in Karnataka, not Andhra Pradesh, as some media reports have suggested.

Recounting his past, he stated that he was involved in Maoist activities from 2004 to 2009 but later realised that weapons and life in the forest would not lead to any meaningful change. He surrendered during Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s government in 2009, after which all cases against him were closed.

Saleem revealed that he is currently engaged in business in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. While he has spent most of his life in Andhra Pradesh, he returned to Karnataka in 2016 due to a case against him. "I was not in touch with Lakshmi’s family initially, but her brother and sisters later persuaded her to reconnect and stay with them. Lakshmi had not surrendered in the past," he clarified.

"I want to settle in Karnataka, once all legal issues are solved," he said and added that he married Lakshmi in 2008. "I now firmly believe in the Indian Constitution, as envisioned by Dr BR Ambedkar, which provides the strength to fight against injustices."

Meeting after 18 years

Lakshmi Thombattu's brothers Vittala Poojary and Basava Poojary said she left home in 2006 to join a movement and has not been in contact with her family since then. For the past three years, she has been in touch with her family over the phone.

She has not seen her parents in recent times. Her father passed away five years ago, and her mother died two years ago. "Our village remains the same as it was when she left. There is a school but no teachers, a health centre without a doctor, and no proper road connectivity. We are very happy that our sister has returned to mainstream society. We met her after 18 years," they said.