'Three more Maoists willing to come to mainstream'

Efforts to bring back Maoists to mainstream depends on how govt treats the2 surrendered leaders, says Gowri Lankesh

Naxals’ surrender and rehabilitation state committee member Gowri Lankesh has revealed that three more Maoists have written to ‘Shanthinagi Nagarika Vedike’ expressing their wish to leave back Maoist activities and come to the mainstream of society.

She revealed the same after handing over Maoist leaders Noor Julfikar (Shridhar) and Sirimane Nagaraj who surrendered before government at Deputy Commissioner’s office in Chikkamagaluru on Monday.

She said that the move of the Maoist leaders have come in the wake of the call given by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister K J George to stop Maoist activities and come to the mainstream.

Terming the development as a significant one, she stated that the efforts to bring back the Maoist to the mainstream depends upon how government treats the two surrendered Maoist leaders. She, however, denied to disclose the names of three more Maoists who have written letters to the forum, willing to return to society’s mainstream.

Freedom fighter H S Doreswamy said that the Maoist leaders have returned with an intent to carry out pro-people movements, within the constitutional framework and not being lured by the benefits of Naxal package.

Shanthigagi Nagarike Vedike offered a welcome to Nagaraj and Noor Julfikar near Tourist Bunglow. Former minister B T Lalitha Nayak, progressive thinkers Siddhanagowda Patil, K L Ashok, Prof Bhoomigowda, MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda, JDS State General Secretary H H Devraj district Congress President Dr D L Vijaykumar and others were present.

We have only returned   to mainstream’

Ours is not a surrender of our ideologies to strive for a society of equality. We have only returned to the constitutional fight from secretive movement, said Sirimane Nagaraj and Noor Julfikar.

Sirimane Nagaraj said that their surrender has not come in the wake of deteriorating health and they are strong enough to fight for people, within the constitutional framework.

Another surrendered Maoist leader Noor Julfikar said that they felt previlaged on the moment. He negated the possibility of opportunistic attitude behind the decision of surrender.

Rather, the decision was an intellectual one. Even the hardships they faced during their fight and the encountered deaths of their allies had not made them down.
But, it was the total scenario of Karnataka which enlightened them on their sense of duty, Noor Julfikar said and added that they will believe that everyone will respect their decision.