Karnataka has officially been declared ‘Naxal-free’ following the unconditional surrender of Lakshmi, the last Naxalite in the state, on Sunday. Lakshmi surrendered in front of Udupi Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari and Superintendent of Police Arun K., marking the end of a significant chapter in the state’s battle against Naxalism. With her surrender, Karnataka becomes the first state in India to achieve this status in recent years. Lakshmi, who was reportedly involved in multiple cases across police stations in the Kundapur Taluk of Udupi district, took the decision to lay down her arms and return to normal life.
Accompanied by Sripal, a member of the State Naxal Surrender Committee, and her husband Salim, a former Naxalite who had surrendered in Andhra Pradesh in 2020, Lakshmi’s surrender was seen as a moment of closure for both the state and its ongoing fight against Naxalism. Authorities now face the task of rehabilitating the surrendered Maoists and integrating them back into society.
Lakshmi had three cases registered against her in the Amasebail and Shankaranarayana police stations under the jurisdiction of Kundapur Taluk. Upon surrendering, she made an earnest appeal to the authorities to relieve her of all the charges leveled against her. Speaking to the media after her surrender, Lakshmi expressed her gratitude towards the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the support provided through the government’s surrender package. She further mentioned that her attempt to surrender earlier was hindered by unspecified obstacles, but now, with the formation of the surrender committee, the process had been made possible.
The surrender package, which forms part of the state’s Naxal rehabilitation scheme, guarantees a sum of Rs. 7 lakh for Lakshmi, who falls under the ‘A’ category for Naxalites originating from Karnataka. This category is designated for Maoists with significant involvement in activities within the state. The package will be provided in phases over the course of three years and will include other benefits such as education, employment, and rehabilitation, depending on the former Naxalite’s needs and potential.
The state government’s efforts to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation package have been central to the success of the surrender program. According to Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari, the policy ensures that former Naxalites are given the opportunity to reintegrate into society without the burden of their past actions, while also offering them a chance at a better future.
Sripal, from the State Naxal Surrender Committee, shared that the committee had recommended quick disposal of cases filed against surrendered Naxalites, allowing them to transition smoothly into a normal life. Since the formation of the surrender committee, 22 Naxalite activists have surrendered in 2025 alone, with Lakshmi being the final one to lay down arms in the state. This success is seen as a culmination of years of efforts by the state to eliminate Naxalism and to create a peaceful environment for the people of Karnataka.
With Lakshmi’s surrender, Karnataka is now officially declared Naxal-free, a monumental achievement for the state that has been grappling with the menace of Maoist insurgency for decades. The government’s surrender package, alongside strong law enforcement and rehabilitation efforts, played a crucial role in bringing an end to the Naxalite threat in the state, setting a positive example for other regions facing similar challenges.
