It has been over a year since eight Maoists laid down their arms and joined the mainstream. All of them remain in jail.
“One has stopped eating properly and refuses to attend legal proceedings. Others are undergoing extreme mental stress. On the other hand, the government does not have the time to meet members of the Naxal rehabilitation committee,” said K.P. Sreepal, a member of the State committee.
“Before surrendering, there was time for a series of meetings. Now that it is done, getting an appointment to meet the Chief Minister has become a distant dream,” he added.
On January 8, 2025, six Maoists joined the mainstream at the Chief Minister’s Home Office, bringing to an end an armed movement that spanned more than two decades. Those who surrendered include Mundagaru Latha, Sundari Kuttaluru, Vanajakshi Balehole, Maareppa Aroli and K. Vasantha.
Subsequently, two more, Kotehonda Ravindra and Tombattu Lakshmi, joined the mainstream.
Mental distress and isolation
Mr. Sreepal explained that Kanyakumari, who surrendered in 2017, is still in jail and lacks clarity about her future, as her cases are not progressing.
“These eight people have started feeling anxious because no part of the legal proceedings is moving forward. Every time they call me, they cite Kanyakumari’s example and request bail,” he said. He added that committee members have been providing the surrendered Maoists with clothes and food at their own expense.
“Earlier, they could meet each other regularly inside. Now, a change in the rules has forced them to deal with the situation in isolation. This has pushed them into emotional turmoil,” Mr. Sreepal said.
Banjagere Jayaprakash, another member of the committee, said that initially, on one occasion, the committee was allowed to meet the Maoists in a separate room. “Now, it is a herculean task even to contact them,” he said.
Demands and reality
Before surrendering, the Maoists had submitted a list of eight immediate demands and 18 long-term demands. For a few of these, the government had given its approval. However, 13 months later, not a single demand has been fulfilled, Mr. Sreepal claimed.
One of the eight demands stated, “Once we come to the mainstream, we should not be allowed to rot in jail.”
Mr. Jayaprakash termed this a betrayal of trust . However, government sources claimed that a few demands have been completed and several others are progressing and nearing completion, though not at the desired pace. As a first step, the State government allocated ₹10 crore in the 2025-2026 State Budget for rehabilitation works for surrendered Maoists and to meet their demands.
₹53 lakh financial aid sanctioned for surrendered Maoists
The government has sanctioned ₹53 lakh as financial aid for surrendered Maoists, according to documents accessed by The Hindu. Of this, ₹18 lakh has been disbursed, while the remaining amount is with district commissioners and will be released when beneficiaries submit requests.
Further, ₹19 lakh has been released to purchase goods and vehicles and to set up a bookshop for individuals named by the surrendered Maoists. Two others were allotted land parcels near Chikkamagaluru, which were later taken back as they fell within a forest area.
A senior government source told The Hindu that a proposal had been sent to the High Court to set up a special court in Shivamogga to fast-track cases against surrendered Naxals, but it was rejected. “Now, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has sent another proposal, which will be reviewed by the Chief Justice of the High Court and five senior judges,” the officer said.
The delays, the source said, are due to the late filing of charge sheets, as there are more than 60 cases against each of them and mahazars had to be conducted in all cases. “Now, 90% of the mahazar process has been completed, and charge sheets are progressing. Once the courts are set up, there will be rapid progress in framing charges and conducting trials,” the officer said, adding that trials have already begun in several cases.
Further, development works demanded by the surrendered Maoists are commissioned, the officer said.
However, one demand, which was a judicial inquiry into the “encounter” of their leader Vikram Gowda, has not moved an inch, claimed Mr. Sreepal.
Lost trust
Mr. Jayaprakash said the government should have appointed a nodal officer at the outset to fast-track the cases. Now, officials at least meet judges and explain the State government’s commitment made at the time of surrender to move matters forward.
What is most disappointing, Mr. Sreepal said, is that the committee has now been sidelined. “Next time, any civil society group will think twice before working with the government if trust is lost in this manner,” Mr. Jayaprakash said.
Published – February 09, 2026 12:42 am IST
