Red surrender makes Karnataka 'Naxal-free'

The surrender of a Naxalite in Chikkamagaluru district on Friday marked a significant step towards Karnataka becoming free of red trouble, reports Ranjith Kandya. So far, 21 Naxals have surrendered in the state. "With this surrender, Karnataka is now Naxal-free," claimed SP Vikram Amathe. Kotehonda Ravindra, 44, who spent 18 years in the movement, was involved in activities in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and had been underground since 2007. A total of 27 cases are filed against him.