Udupi: Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders, was killed in an encounter with the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) in the Kabbinale forest area under Hebri police station limits.
The Encounter
The gunfight occurred last evening in the dense forests of Kabbinale, where the ANF engaged a group of Naxals.
- Vikram Gowda was fatally shot during the encounter.
- Reports suggest that two to three other Naxals were injured.
- A search operation is currently underway to locate the remaining members of the group.
Who Was Vikram Gowda?
- Origins: Vikram Gowda hailed from Kudlu Nadwalu village in Hebri taluk, Udupi district.
- Naxal Activities: Over a span of 20 years, he emerged as a prominent Naxal leader in Karnataka, involved in more than 20 cases.
- Leadership: Following Kuppuswamy’s leadership in South India, Vikram Gowda became a key figure in Karnataka’s Naxal movement.
- Evasions: Gowda had escaped police capture thrice, including a high-profile incident in 2016 involving the Kerala police.
- Resistance to Mainstreaming: He was a staunch opponent of government efforts to bring Naxals into the mainstream, even distributing posters against Gauri Lankesh for supporting such initiatives.
Impact
Vikram Gowda’s death marks a significant success for Karnataka’s anti-Naxal operations. Authorities believe this will weaken the Naxal network in the state, particularly in the Western Ghats region.