With cases dragging on, many former left-wing extremists question point of rehabilitation package

Wed Nov 20 16:08:34 UTC 2024: ## Former Naxals in Karnataka Criticize Rehabilitation Program

**Shivamogga, November 20, 2024** – Former left-wing extremists who surrendered under a Karnataka state government rehabilitation program are expressing deep dissatisfaction with the process, claiming the program’s promises have not been met. Several individuals who joined the mainstream since 2016, particularly those facing ongoing legal battles, have voiced anger and frustration.

At least 13 individuals in Chikkamagaluru district have participated in the program since 2010. While those without serious charges have successfully reintegrated, others facing numerous legal cases report significant hardships.

Kanyakumari, who surrendered in 2017 along with her husband and infant son, has remained incarcerated in Bengaluru jail for the past seven years. Despite surrendering under the program, she is facing over 60 cases. Her husband, Shivu, who works as an auto-rickshaw driver, is struggling to cover legal expenses and support his family. He questions the program’s efficacy, stating, “Not even for a day has Kanyakumari been out of jail since she surrendered. Is this the way to assimilate extremists into the mainstream?”

Similarly, Nilaguli Padmanabh, who surrendered in 2016, has faced repeated arrests and imprisonment despite his participation in the program. He lost a leg in a previous encounter and now struggles to find employment while managing his ongoing legal proceedings. He, like others, criticizes the government’s failure to provide promised land and housing assistance.

The main complaint among these former Naxals is the slow and ineffective resolution of their pending legal cases. The government’s initial promise of case closure within six to eight months has not been fulfilled, leaving many facing protracted legal battles and financial hardship. The experience of these individuals raises serious questions about the effectiveness and fairness of the state’s rehabilitation program for former left-wing extremists.

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