Kotehonda Ravi, 44, (in blue shirt) surrendered before the Chikkamagaluru district administration in Chikkamagaluru in the presence of member of State committee to oversee rehabilitation of left-wing extremists K.P. Sripal, Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj, Superintendent of Police Vikram Amathe, ZP CEO H.S. Keerthana, and others, on February 1, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Kotehonda Ravi, 44, a native of Hulugarubailu in Sringeri taluk of Karnataka, who has been with the Naxal movement for the past 17 years, returned to the mainstream by surrendering before the Chikkamagaluru district administration on February 1.

Ravi surrendered before the district committee to oversee the rehabilitation of the left-wing extremists, headed by Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj. He has been active in the armed struggle since 2007 and allegedly participated in Naxal activities reported in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. He has been facing 13 cases in Chikkamagaluru district alone.

Meena Nagaraj, the DC, said that as per the surrender policy, Ravi comes under the ‘A’ category Maoist, considering the seriousness of cases he had been facing. He is entitled to a package of ₹7.5 lakh.

“At the time of surrender, he will get an initial installment of ₹3 lakh. The remaining amount would be released in a phased manner. If he wishes to undergo any training to improve his skills, the government would provide a stipend of ₹5,000 a month,” he said.

Chikkamagaluru Superintendent of Police Vikram Amathe said Ravi would undergo a medical test. There are 27 cases against him. He would face the legal process.

Zilla Panchayat CEO H.S. Keerthana, member of the State committee K.P. Sripal, representatives of Shantigagi Nagarikara Vedike K.L. Ashok, V.S. Sridhar, and Nagaragere Ramesh were among those present when the Naxal surrendered.

Kotehonda Ravi was part of the Maoist group that was active until recently. He was separated from the group recently. The remaining six people returned to the mainstream in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on January 8. With the return of Kotehonda Ravi, according to the police, all active Maoists have returned to the mainstream.

Demands of surrendered Naxal

Kotehonda Ravi has placed several demands before the government of Karnataka, including basic amenities for residents of his village and allowing him to cultivate the land that he cultivated earlier.

Ravi claimed to joining the armed struggle about 16 years ago, as he was upset with the lack of basic amenities in his village. There was no power supply, and no road connectivity. “Even after repeated pleas, the government did not respond to our demands, forcing me to join the armed struggle. I am returning to the mainstream as I understand there have been some changes and the government is willing to respond,” he said.

In a written plea addressed to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Maoist said he should be allowed to cultivate two acres of land that he cultivated before joining the Naxal movement. “The government should not disturb forest dwellers and grant them rights over the land they have been cultivating,” he stated.

He wants the cases filed against him to be withdrawn.

Lady Naxal to surrender on February 2

One more Naxal, who has three cases against her, is expected to surrender on February 2. She left the Naxal movement long ago but had been in hiding.