Updated

Pics: Nithin Periera

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Feb 2: Thombattu Lakshmi, a naxal operative from Thomattu in Kundapur and a native of Udupi, surrendered before Udupi district commissioner Dr Vidyakumari on Sunday, February 2.

Lakshmi, who had been involved in naxal activities for several years, is facing three cases registered at Amasebail and Shankaranarayana police stations.

The surrender process was conducted by deputy commissioner Dr Vidyakumari and district police superintendent Dr Arun K.

Speaking to the media after the surrender procedures, district commissioner Dr Vidyakumari said, "The state government’s surrender package will be implemented. There are three surrender packages—A, B, and C. After a thorough investigation by the police, we will recommend the appropriate package to the state government. The package will be provided in stages. She will be given opportunities for self-employment and rehabilitation. We will also recommend the government to fulfill her demands."

Addressing the media, Thombattu Lakshmi said, "It’s not the right time to talk. I voluntarily surrendered after seeing chief minister Siddaramaiah’s surrender policy on television and the opportunities it offers. My native place lacks basic facilities like roads, hospitals, water, and other necessities. These are my demands."

Police superintendent Dr Arun K, while addressing the media, said, "This afternoon, she will undergo a medical examination and will be presented before the court. She is facing three cases—a firing case, a pamphlet distribution case, and a Bedarike case from 2007-2008. She was a wanted accused but is only facing these three cases in Karnataka. Legal procedures and trials will be followed."

Shripal, a member of the state committee for naxal rehabilitation, explained the surrender process, saying, "Due to the effectiveness of chief minister Siddaramaiah’s surrender package and his open invitation for naxals to surrender, she approached the state committee. As she was facing three cases in Karnataka, she willingly agreed to resolve them through legal procedures. Based on her request, the process was initiated, and she surrendered today."

Thombattu Lakshmi had been absconding in Andhra Pradesh with her husband and two children. She was facing three cases registered at the Amasebail police station in Kundapur taluk. She was accompanied by her brother Vithal Poojary, other family members, and Shripal, a member of the naxal rehabilitation committee.

Earlier Report

Naxal operative Thombattu Lakshmi expected to surrender in Udupi on Feb 2

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Feb 2: Thombattu Lakshmi, a naxal operative from Thomattu in Kundapur, is expected to surrender in Udupi or Chikkamagaluru on Sunday, February 2.

She had been involved in naxal activities for several years and is facing three cases at Amasebail and Shankaranarayana police stations.

Lakshmi had been living in Andhra Pradesh with her husband, who was also a naxal operative but has since returned to the mainstream.

Although she was involved in naxal activities, she was not considered a hardcore naxal like Mundagaru Lata and Vikram Gowda.

According to top sources, Lakshmi is likely to surrender in Udupi.