'He was carrying deadly weapon': Karnataka minister, CM justify Maoist leader Vikram Gowda's killing

Bengaluru: Maoist leader Vikram Gowda was killed to suppress Naxal activities, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday.

“He was wanted by the police in a lot of cases,” Siddaramaiah said in Bengaluru. “He was ordered to surrender, but he didn’t. The Kerala government had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on him, while the state government had Rs 5 lakh.”

Vikram Gowda alias Vikram Gowdlu alias Srikanth (46) was killed in what the officials said was an exchange of fire between the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) and a group of Maoists near Peetebailu village, Kabbinale area near Hebri of Udupi district on Monday night.

Home Minister G Parameshwara claimed that Gowda was carrying a deadly weapon and that if the police hadn’t shot at him, he would’ve attacked them.

“There are over 60 cases, including murder, against Gowda,” Parameshwara said. “As per my current information, subjected to corrections, he possessed an automatic machine gun. There were previous attempts to make him surrender. Even his family tried, however, he didn’t agree.”

The Home Minister said that ANF headquarters is located in Karkala to keep an eye on such activities while rejecting any misconduct surrounding the killing.

“In instances like this, the question of parties doesn’t arise and the safety of the public takes precedence,” Parameshwara added.