Chikkamagaluru: Four naxalites who were active since past two decades in the Western Ghats range have surrendered in front of deputy commissioner under Naxal Package on Monday at Chikkamagaluru.

Naxal leaders Neelguni Padhmanabha, Rizwan Begam, Raju and Bharathi are the surrendered naxals. Journalist Gowri Lankesh and A K Subbaih took the initiative to surrender these four naxalite.

All the four naxalites came to inspection bungalow at Chikkamagaluru and surrendered to DC in front of Citizen Committee. District SP Annamalai, DC Sathyavathi and lawyer A K Subbaiah were present.

There are many cases registered against Pashmanabha in various police stations. He is a resident of Neelgulni village at Koppa taluk. Rizwan Begam alias Kalpana was active in naxalism since past two decades. One case was registered against her.

There were no cases registered against Bharati and Raju. It is said that they had sympathy for the naxal leaders.