Former Maoist calls Gowda’s killing a ‘foul’, seeks justice | Latest News India

The day after Maoist leader Vikram Gowda was killed by the anti-Naxal force (ANF), activists and former Maoists alleged murder and demanded accountability. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the operation and said it was a necessary precaution against Moaists.

Social activist and former Maoist Noor Sridhar condemned the encounter, accusing the government of using “fake clashes” to suppress tribal voices. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Sridhar demanded an immediate judicial inquiry into the murder.

“The government’s brutal policies are encouraging tribal youth to become Naxalites. On one hand, the government is calling on the Naxalites to come out, and on the other hand, fake gunfights are being held. The government must explain why there is a need to capture tribal activist Vikram Gowda. “An FIR should be registered immediately and handed over to judicial investigation,” he said.

Sridhar questioned the necessity of the encounter, noting that the Maoists had not made any provocations recently. “What was the need to kill Vikram Gowda? They did not attack or burn any police stations; Nothing like that happened. Not even a brochure was found. “There was no trouble or attack by the Naxals,” he said.

He warned that such incidents risked undermining the peace established over the last decade. “This legacy of blood and death must not continue. There was peace in Karnataka for 10 years. There were two main reasons why we moved out of the Naxal life: Support from civil society and the Siddaramaiah government in 2013. But if this situation is not handled properly, another phenomenon will start in Karnataka,” said Sridhar.

In response to criticism, Siddaramaiah defended the encounter and said Gowda was a wanted criminal who refused to surrender despite repeated appeals. “There is a standing order. We said that if they (Naxals) surrender, all facilities will be given to them. He (Gowda) did not surrender. Kerala government announced ₹25 lakh reward to him; Our government announced ₹“5 thousand awards,” he said.

In response to critics who questioned the legitimacy of the encounter, heh said, “You have to appreciate it (the encounter). Should Naxalism stay or go?”

Gowda, 46, was killed in an alleged gunfight with ANF near Peetebailu village in Udupi district on Tuesday. Authorities said he was among the most wanted Maoist leaders in Karnataka and was facing 61 criminal cases in the state and 19 in Kerala, including murder and extortion charges.

The operation was led by deputy superintendent of police (DySP), anti-naxal force (Karkala Unit), Raghavendra R Naik, according to the FIR registered with the police. In his complaint to the police, Naik explained how the team ambushed the area based on a tip-off that Maoists were visiting houses in Peetebailu.

“We received a tip-off that Maoists were expected to visit three houses in Peetebailu area. We lurked in the forest area around these houses starting from 17:00 on November 18th. “Around 6 pm, we saw Vikram Gowda and two or three other men entering the area armed with guns,” he said. .

Naik explained how the Maoists first opened fire after they were asked to surrender. “When we realized they were Maoists, we shouted at them, declared that we were police and asked them to surrender. However, when they realized that they were ambushed; “They started chanting ‘Maovaadi Zindabad’ slogans and started shooting at us,” he said.

He further said: “We warned them to surrender, otherwise we will have to open fire. But Vikram Gowda and others had only intention to kill us and they continued shooting at us. So, in self-defence, we fired at them. Vikram Gowda was hit by bullets and fell down.” .”

A 9mm carbine was reportedly recovered from Gowda’s body. ANF ​​personnel also followed other Maoists who fled into the forest but could not catch them. Hebri Police registered a case against Gowda and unidentified associates under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, Arms Act, 1959 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.