Abduction rumours: ANF launch combing operation

The police have intensified combing operation in Kabbinale near Hebri in Udupi district following rumours of abduction of Sadashiva Gowda, said to be a police informer.

However, police have not confirmed the abduction of Gowda. On Thursday, a person who identified himself as Vishwa and a Maoist naxal leader, called a reporter over the phone claiming that his organisation had abducted and ‘punished’ Gowda for being a police informer.

He also said that the cellphone from which he was making the call belonged to Sadashiva Gowda.

Gowda, a resident of Tingalamakki in Karkala taluk, was a bamboo basket weaver. According to Sankri, his aunt, Gowda left for the forest to bring cane on Monday and had not returned.

“We were not worried as at times he returns from the forest after a week or so,” she said.
While the police said no missing complaint had been registered with them, Superintendent of Police Y S Ravikumar said a police team has been dispatched to Kabbinale for a search operation.

Vasudeva Murthy, the SP of Anti-Naxal Force said they had no information on Gowda and denied any link between the latter and the naxals. As the rumours started making rounds, Sadashiva’s brothers too have started looking for him in the forests.

There was no information on Gowda till Friday late evening.