Bengaluru: It is learnt, that the Siddaramaiah is about to make progress in his efforts to curb naxalism in the state with two of the state’s main ideologues , Sirimane Nagaraj and Noor Zulfikar, planning to ‘return to the mainstream,’ this weekend.
Soon after Siddaramaiah formed his government, he formed a committee comprising civil society members freedom fighter HS Doreswamy and journalist Gowri Lankesh to take this initiative forward.
Sirimane Nagaraj and Noor Zulfikar, had given up armed struggle a few years ago and were looking for a way out. The committee facilitated their return. The state has agreed to withdraw the cases against the two extremists. The government had promised a rehabilitation package which the two have refused.
The surrender was first scheduled for Wedenesday. However in two of the four cases against Zulfikar, the Union government has to consent to drop the charges and therefore the postponement. These two relate to the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The state is now writing to the Centre about the issue and the surrender is likely on Saturday. Sources indicate, that the duo have refused to use the word ‘surrender’ in their communications.
The whole process has taken 18 months.
Lankesh said, “Siddaramaiah and home minister George were for the surrender from the very beginning. But government as a whole moves very slowly. Negotiations and building up the proper time and conditions took time. Elections also delayed the talks. Civil society’s involvement helped”.
A trail of violence..
The Naxal history in the state has seen plenty of violence. The then top leader Saketh Rajan was shot dead by the police in February 2005 and the mantle fell on Sirimane Nagaraj and Zulfikar to lead the movement. However they were less inclined to a violent path and split from the original naxal organization and formed the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) in 2006.
Having learnt of their mentors plans to ‘return to the mainstream’, many more naxals, it is learnt have sent similar feelers to the committee and authorities concerned. Gowri Lankesh said, “There are feelers from 3-4 others who want to return to the mainstream. It will depend on how this (surrender of Nagaraj and Zulfikar) pans out. But it is good to see the strengthening of democratic struggle.”
Meanwhile Lankesh was upbeat about the surrender of the Naxal ideologues “Only low level cadre had surrendered earlier. This is the first time ideologues and senior members are returning to the mainstream.
