Former naxal activist Lakshmi Thombattu surrenders in Udupi

Former naxal activist Lakshmi Thombattu surrenders in Udupi

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Feb 2, 2025: In a significant development, Lakshmi Thombattu, a former Naxal activist who was actively involved in the Naxal movement in the Kundapur region two decades ago, surrendered at the office of the Udupi District Superintendent of Police (SP) on Sunday, February 2. Lakshmi’s surrender marks a historic moment as she becomes the first Naxal fighter from Udupi district to return to the mainstream of society.

Escorted by police security, Lakshmi arrived at the SP office accompanied by her brother Vittal Poojari, other relatives, and members of the Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Committee, including Sripal. The formal surrender proceedings were conducted in the presence of Udupi SP Dr. K. Arun and Additional SP S.T. Siddalingappa.

Lakshmi had been an active participant in the Naxal movement alongside fellow activist Vikram Gowda, who recently lost his life in a police encounter. Following these events, Lakshmi decided to renounce the movement and surrender to the authorities.

In recent years, Lakshmi had been residing in Andhra Pradesh with her husband and two children. Her decision to surrender is seen as a step towards reintegration into society under the state’s rehabilitation policies for former Naxal activists.
“I tried to get in touch with the district officials and wanted to surrender after the Karnataka government had announced the surrender protocol and package, but it had not happened for some reason. Now that the surrender committee was formed, my surrender has been facilitated," Lakshmi told journalists after her surrender today.

She thanked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the generous surrender package and appealed to the district administration to relieve her of all charges laid against her in the police stations in Amasebail and Shankaranarayana in Kundapur taluk.

DC Vidya Kumari said Lakshmi comes under the ‘A’ category candidate for surrender, and as a surrender package norm the Naxalites coming under this category are entitled to get Rs 7 lakh. The ‘A’ category has been denominated for the Naxals originating from Karnataka state, Kumari added.

“The surrender packages will be given in phases extending to three years, and in addition, depending on the core capacity of the Naxals who surrendered, facilities like education, rehabilitation, and employment will be offered," added the DC.