The BJP has opposed the Karnataka government’s offer of rehabilitation package to the six Naxals to surrender, stating it is "alarming" to the civil society and "demoralising" to the police forces fighting the Naxals.
The BJP MLA from Karkala, Sunil Kumar, on Wednesday slammed the Siddaramaiah government for offering a rehab package and assurances of financial and legal aid and said, “What is the criteria for offering this rehab package? Whenever Siddaramaiah comes to power, it is a harvest season for terrorists and Naxals as the government extends largesse. On one hand, the government is announcing a surrender policy for Naxals and on the other it is withdrawing cases against PFI (banned outfit). The civil society will face a dangerous situation. These Naxals have taken up arms and disturbed peace in Malnad, the ‘karma bhoomi’ of Rashtra Kavi Kuvempu. Now, do you want to give them license to disrupt peace again?” asked Kumar, expressing suspicion over the surrender.
The BJP leader mocked the rehab package, saying it would convert the “forest Naxals” into “urban Naxals”.
“The naxals are coming back as urban Naxals. We have fought Naxalism with our development agenda and established peace in the region. But now, the government yielding to the demands of these Naxals gives rise to suspicion. Within a month after CM gave a call to surrender, the Naxals responded. Is Siddaramaiah close to the Naxals or close to people who are with the Naxals?” charged Kumar, raising doubts over the role and intent of the ‘Shantigagi Nagarika Vedike’ which mediated in the process of surrender.
Kumar also claimed that the Naxals had killed at least 27 people and any preferential treatment to these people would send a wrong message to the police forces who have lost their men fighting Naxalism.
The six naxals who will surrender have multiple cases against me – Latha Mundagaru has 85 cases against her, Sundari Kutluru 71, Vanajakshi Balehole 29, Mareppa Aroli 50, Jisha (Wayanad) 8 and K Vasanth (Arcot) 17.