Bengaluru Vikram Gowda (44), a infamous Maoist chief, wished by the police in a number of states together with Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, was killed throughout an encounter in Udupi district.
Gowda, the chief of the Naxal Netravati Dal, has been implicated in over 20 felony circumstances associated to Maoist actions, together with violent incidents within the Western Ghats and coastal areas of Karnataka.
Initially from Kudlu Nadwalu village in Udupi district, he rose to prominence throughout the Maoist-led resistance in opposition to the institution of Kudremukh Nationwide Park. As a key member of the Netravati Dal, he was on the forefront of the wrestle within the coastal area, whereas the opposite staff led by Mundagaru Lata operated within the hilly area.
For the previous 20 years, Gowda was actively concerned in Maoist actions throughout Karnataka and was recognized for his robust anti-government stance.
Vikramarjuna Hegde, a neighborhood resident of Kudlu Nadwalu village in Udupi, mentioned that the Maoist actions weren’t lively of their village for a number of years. Whereas Vikram Gowda, being a neighborhood resident, typically visited the world, there was no concrete info on his involvement with the Maoist group till later.
“His dad and mom handed away, and we had no clue about his actions or whereabouts. His grandfather nonetheless lives in our village, and he belongs to the Malekudiya neighborhood,” he mentioned.
He additional mentioned that Vikram Gowda’s entry into the Maoist motion started round 2002-2003. Initially, he grew to become related to a gaggle known as the “Karnataka Vimochana Sangha” which later emerged as a Maoist faction beneath the management of Saket Rajan.
Throughout this era, Gowda participated in rallies and protests, together with one the place he invited Hegde to hitch an illustration, which Hegde declined.
After his refusal, Hegde claimed that Gowda harboured animosity towards him and despatched a gaggle of three-four folks to intimidate his household on a number of events. “They even raided our home two-three occasions,” he recounted.
Hegde additionally emphasised that Vikram Gowda’s deep involvement in Maoist actions was largely influenced by the forest division. He mentioned: “Gowda had been subjected to violent actions by the forest division over trivial issues, which fuelled his bitterness and eventual embrace of the Maoist trigger.”
“Vikram was a peaceable, good-natured individual. We by no means imagined him changing into a Maoist chief. He studied solely as much as the fifth normal and later labored in a lodge in Mumbai earlier than returning dwelling and getting concerned in these actions,” he added.
Vikram Gowda’s involvement within the Maoist actions dates again over twenty years and he managed to evade seize a number of occasions. In 2016, he outwitted Kerala police by escaping throughout a high-stakes operation. He was capable of escape the Karnataka police thrice and was additionally concerned in opposing authorities initiatives aimed toward bringing the Maoists into the mainstream.
In 2013, the Karnataka police introduced a reward of ₹5 lakh for details about him together with a number of different Maoists lively within the area, together with Jayanna, Mundagaru Lata, and Vanajakshi.
Up to now, Gowda was concerned in over 50 circumstances throughout Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, with 13 circumstances registered in opposition to him alone in Chikmagalur district.
In latest months, Maoist actions have resurged within the Western Ghats and surrounding areas. Maoists, led by Gowda and different leaders, held conferences in a number of villages of the Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts, discussing the implementation of the Kasturi Rangan report and clearance of forest encroachments.
The Maoist motion, which started in Karnataka with the resistance to the Kudremukh Nationwide Park, has not too long ago seen a resurgence in Kerala as effectively.
“In an encounter by the ANF at Peethbail in Hebri taluk, Vikram Gowda from Kudlu village of Hebri taluk was killed. A complete of 61 circumstances, together with homicide, had been registered in opposition to him,” said inner safety wing director common of police D Roopa, who visited the scene.
“He additionally had 19 circumstances registered in opposition to him in Kerala. The search operation had been ongoing for the previous 15 days,” she added.
