Citizens’ Forum Urges Karnataka to Act as Surrendered Maoist Ravi Battles for Life in Kerala Hospital
Bengaluru, 13 October 2026: The Citizens’ Initiative for Peace-Bangalore has urged the Karnataka government to urgently intervene to save the life of surrendered Maoist Kottehole Ravi alias Ravindra, who is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of Thrissur Medical College Hospital in Kerala. The forum alleges that the government has failed to honour its rehabilitation assurances to surrendered Maoists and has demanded Ravi’s transfer to Karnataka, access for his family and representatives, and time-bound action on pending cases.
In a statement on Tuesday, the forum said Ravi’s health had deteriorated after he began a hunger strike in a high-security prison in Thrissur, where he is lodged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). According to the forum, he has suffered a stroke and impaired kidney function. Lawyers who visited him said his condition was critical. The court has permitted the forum’s representatives to meet him for only one hour, it said.
Rehabilitation Promises Yet to Be Fulfilled
The forum said eight Karnataka-based Maoists surrendered on January 8, 2025, and Ravi surrendered to Karnataka police about a week later. It claimed that the forum had persuaded them to leave the forests and give up arms after the government promised to withdraw cases against them and provide rehabilitation within three months.
Most of those who surrendered belong to Karnataka’s Adivasi communities and had been fighting for basic facilities and rights over agricultural land, the statement said. However, delays in implementing the assurances have left them facing multiple cases. Four surrendered Maoists are reportedly in Kerala prisons because cases against them remain pending there.
Ravi was taken into National Investigation Agency custody and lodged in the Thrissur prison under UAPA provisions. The forum said repeated requests to transfer him to a Karnataka prison had produced no result.
Forum Questions Government’s Commitment
The forum recalled that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had welcomed the surrendered Maoists in the presence of senior ministers and officials, declaring, “From today, Karnataka is free of Naxalism.” It argued that the promise of a peaceful return to society had not translated into rehabilitation.
According to the forum, the Karnataka government had assured it around 18 months ago that it would pursue the resolution or withdrawal, where appropriate, of cases pending in Kerala. Apart from writing to the Kerala government, however, no significant progress had been made, it alleged.
The statement contrasted Karnataka’s approach with those of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, where surrendered Maoists had reportedly secured bail and, in some cases, employment opportunities.
Urgent Action Sought
The forum has demanded immediate medical intervention and transparent updates on Ravi’s condition, his transfer to Karnataka through due legal procedures, and access for his family and forum representatives. It has also called for time-bound decisions on cases against all surrendered Maoists, negotiations with Kerala to resolve pending cases, and steps to withdraw cases where legally permissible and complete rehabilitation.
The statement was issued by Prof. Nagaragere Ramesh and Prof. V.S. Sridhar on behalf of the Citizens’ Initiative for Peace-Bangalore. The allegations and account of the government’s assurances are based on the forum’s statement.
