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.
Comments
Islam is not a religion bro, it is a though of Muhammad. Who wrote quran ? Of course it is Muhammad. Muhammad is massanger of allah is mention in quran and quran is truth it is called by Muhammad 😂. Sanatan is only one religion, Omm is only god. Only one god in sanatan. All human are born by sanatan. I pray to god for you to convey vedas. Plls follow vedas
Burnol time for some people here.. Welcome to the Original Religion.
mr thogadia several poor adivasi hundus are embrasing islam and christaianity becuase of your caste system in hinduism. try to help these poor hindus.
Oh yeah!!! IN YOUR DREAMS....right.Happy dreaming Togadia!!!
oh, thogadya got wrong information may be 7.5 lakhs were converted to islam
Togadiya you doesnt know that more than 50 lkh non muslims embraced islam in last 8 years.
Whatever tricks they do to reduce Muslims, But, Allah made Islam to supersede all the religions of the earth. Allah is the best planner.
Mr.Togadiya is just following his master's foot step!! nothing new in his statement, Just look @ our honorable prime minister's statement before election and now?? look at our prime ministers statement when he was on foreign tours and when he is in our country!! only these people are fooling us!! don't give much attention for these types of ill mentality what they called leaders!!
Pravin Togadia being JAIN, why he did not convert to Hinduism before converting others to Hinduism?
Is he loosing his mental stability??
Not only Pakistani Hindus, but, they should bring back to India Srilankan Hindus, Bangladeshi Hindus, Nepali Hindus, Mauritius Hindus, Thailand Hindus, American Hindus, European Hindus, African Hindus, Middle Eastern Hindus etc., All the Hindus must come back to Hindustan. So, they will have majority.
its not new thing..........he is not true to himself..as he himself does not belong to HINDUISM. he is a Jain
Common innocent Hindus are fooled time by time.........even in Al jazeera interview Ram madhav told they do follow Hindu culture not Religion
Very very absurd news. Even if it happened, they don't know what is Hinduism and what is Islam, what is Christianity.
Go to Bombay's Maidan where dozens of educated Hindus are accepting Islam in public, without any pressure or greed.
The govt's seems itself shows Hinduism is diminishing and Muslim population is increasing.
Do whatever you want, the God' s real religion will rein for ever,
All man made fake religions will cease.
I THINK THOGADIYA HAD DREAM LAST NIGHT ABOUT THIS ,
PLEASE DONT JOKE TOO MUCH .....
RSS means liars and always lying. foolish people
Fun of the year... will reward him with \FEKU of THE YEAR\"... Jai ho..."
Muslims Worshiping ONE & ONLY GOD ALLAH, The True CREATOR.
ALLAH is the creator of all that exists, Even U Togadia.
Ye Togadia, stop spreading False news, People are not FOOLS to believe what U say.... U are old. Soon people will throw YOU and Your devils will also Forsake U.
Look for the TRUE GOD and ask his Forgiveness...
ALLAH will forgive all Sins if repented sincerely except SHIRK (associating partners with him)
STOP worshiping the CREATION and LOOK for the CREATOR. IF U R HOnest The CREATOR will guide U to know the reality of YOUR Idol Worship...
Muslims will never bow down to idols & shits & urine & monkeys- SiCK people will do such thing...
RESEARCH it if U are intelligent.
I think thogadia is totaly mental, in last 10 years more then 10 lakh Non muslims converted to Islam.
FAKE NEWS AGAIN & ONLY FOOLISH WILL BELIEVE....
togadia pagal, It's totally a fake news.
Add new comment