Maoist Kotehonda Ravi to surrender in Chikkamagaluru, return to mainstream

Maoist Kotehonda Ravi to surrender and join mainstream, ending 17-year arms struggle in Chikkamagalur district.

Kotehonda Ravi, a Maoist, is expected to appear before Chikkamagalur district administration later today and join the mainstream, giving up arms struggle.

Ravi, a native of a village near Kigga in Sringeri, had been separated from the team of Maoists, who returned to the mainstream on January 8. The members of the state committee to oversee the rehabilitation of Left-wing extremists had been trying to contact him.

Kotehonda Ravi met K.P. Sripal, a member of the committee, and expressed his willingness to return to the mainstream. He will make a statement before the officers of Chikkamagalur district committee, headed by the DC.

According to sources, Ravi has been facing over 15 cases. He has also sought the government address the issues bothering people of the Malnad region. He has been with the Maoist movement for the last 17 years. With his return to mainstream, it is said that, the movement would come to an end with none active in the arms struggle.