Maoist Tombattu Lakshmi surrenders in Udupi

Maoist Tombattu Lakshmi, from Tombattu village of Kundapura taluk in Udupi district, surrendered before Udupi District administration.

Tombattu Lakshmi, a Maoist member from Tombattu village of Kundapura taluk in Udupi district, surrendered before Udupi District administration in Udupi on Sunday (February 2, 2025).

In her brief statement to media, Ms. Lakshmi said her native place still has no road connectivity and water facility and it lacks necessary healthcare facilities. She asked the Government to provide basic facilities for her village at the earliest.

Ms. Lakshmi said after reading the news about the recent surrender of six Maoist members she evinced interest in accepting the policy mooted by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. She voluntarily came forward for surrender and there was no pressure on her.

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She was then taken away by a team of Udupi police.

Shripal Gowda, a member of State committee meant to oversee the surrender policy of Maoists, told reporters that Ms. Lakshmi was the eighth Maoist to surrender in recent days. In all, 21 Maoists of Karnataka have surrendered so far. “With surrender of Lakshmi there are no Kannadigas active in Maoist movement,” he claimed. Maximum cases related to Maoists are have been registered in Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts.

The committee will approach the Karnataka High Court shortly for setting up a special court in the State for speedy trial of all the cases against surrendered Maoists. Ms. Lakshmi’s husband Saleem surrendered before Andhra Pradesh Government four years ago and all his cases were withdrawn, he said.