5 saffron extremists including a Mangalurean are key suspects in Gauri Lankesh murder

coastaldigest.com news network
October 6, 2017

Bengaluru, Oct 6: As many as five saffron extremists linked to the Sanatan Sanstha, a hardline Hindutva outfit, have emerged as key suspects in the coldblooded murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh.

The key suspects have been identified as Jayaprakash alias Anna (45), from Mangaluru; Praveen Limkar (34), from Kolhapur; Sarang Akolkar (38), from Pune; Rudra Patil (37), from Sangli and Vinay Pawar (32), from Satara. All of them are absconding.

According to sources, four of them even have Interpol red-corner notices against their names for their alleged involvement in the 2009 Margao bomb blast where two Sanatan Sanstha men were killed while transporting an IED that was to be planted at a Diwali program in Madgaon.

Patil, Akolkar and Pawar had emerged as suspects also during the CBI investigation into the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in August 2013, in the probe into the killing of leftist thinker and rationalist Govind Pansare in February 2015 and also in the investigation into the murder of Kannada scholar M M Kalburgi in August 2015, a national daily reported.

Akolkar and Patil along with Limkar and Anna are also suspected to be key players in the October 2009 Margao bomb blast when two members of Sanatan Sanstha were killed while transporting an IED that was to be planted at a Diwali programme in the area.

The special investigation team (SIT) of the Karnataka police, which is probing into the Gauri murder has already found out the striking similarities in the murders of Gauri, Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and MM Kalburgi.

Kalburgi was killed at 8:40 am when two men arrived at his house on a motorcycle, knocked on his door and shot him when he opened it. This is very similar to what happened to Gauri, though her murder was at night. A 7.65 mm countrymade pistol was used for both murders, as well as the murders of Dabholkar (killed in Kolhapur, Maharashtra) and Pansare (killed in Pune).

Comments

ibbu
 - 
Saturday, 7 Oct 2017

ban ban ban terrorist organistation - - RSS - sanatan sansta - BJP - ramsena - bajrangdal - durgawahini - ABVP etc etc ...... these all r frontal organisation of RSS and all the terrorist organisation should be banned and after that we can leave happily without fear ............

 

Dodanna
 - 
Friday, 6 Oct 2017

Mangalore not required such criminals any more. Bring suh culprits on front of public and his supporters hand him or encounter and finish imediately.Ban such organization's forever for our nations interest.

True Indian
 - 
Friday, 6 Oct 2017

ban RSS VHP and other  terrorists.  put their leaders behind bars and india will progress. 

ahmed
 - 
Friday, 6 Oct 2017

saffron terorr belongs to BJP RSS SANGA PARIVAR 

Yogesh
 - 
Friday, 6 Oct 2017

Modi is from RSS. Why are  you people still blaming Modi. These suspects are from sanatan sanstha. Before Srirama Sena created some problem and blamed Modi.. Fools

Sandesh
 - 
Friday, 6 Oct 2017

Stupid media simply  blamed RSS.

Mohan
 - 
Friday, 6 Oct 2017

We cant be happy even after the arrest. Loss is loss. Cant fill that loss

Danish
 - 
Friday, 6 Oct 2017

Siddaramaiah and his police did great... Confirm and arrest those bloody ######

Suresh
 - 
Friday, 6 Oct 2017

Till now Feku didnt break silence regarding coldblooded murder. His  Mann Ki Baath always rubbish. useless.

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News Network
November 19,2024

vikramgowda.jpg

The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

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