Gauri Lankesh murder: Former Naxal leader rules out involvement of ultras

Chikkamagaluru: Former Naxal leader, Sirimane Nagaraj, who surrendered to the authorities on December 7, 2014, doesn’t believe other Naxals, who were unhappy with his decision, could be behind the killing of senior journalist/activist Gauri Lankesh, who was instrumental in his return to mainstream society.

Speaking to the Deccan Chronicle on Thursday, he said the Naxals’ fight was against the "anti-people" policies of the government and not other Naxals, who chose to lay down their arms.

“They may have criticised our return to mainstream society, but their opposition cannot be linked to the murder of Gauri Lankesh,” he contended.

Both Sirimane Nagaraj and his fellow Naxal, Noor’s decision to surrender had not gone down well with the Communist Party of India (Maoists) Western Ghat South Zone Committee,which accused them of “ditching” the Naxal movement in the state.

A letter dated December 5, 2014 and signed by Gangadhar of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) Western Ghat South Zone Committee , which was released to the media in Chikkamagaluru, had dubbed the Naxal package as “inducement” aimed at deceiving Naxal leaders.

It said it opposed the efforts of Ms Lankesh , senior advocate, AK Subbaiah and others to bring the Naxals back into mainstream society.

Even after the surrender of some Naxals, pamphlets and banners opposing certain government policies have continued to appear in parts of Sringeri in Chikkamagaluru.

But Mr Subbaiah agrees with Nagaraj that the opposing faction of the Naxals could not be responsible for Ms Lankesh’s murder and claims the Sangh Parivar is more likely to have carried
it out.