MANGALURU: A delegation from the CPI(M) visited Peethbail and nearby areas in Hebri taluk to examine the circumstances surrounding the police encounter that led to the death of maoist Vikram Gowda on November 18. Following their visit, the delegation plans to submit a report to the party, urging an independent judicial probe into the incident.
CPI(M) district secretary Muneer Katipalla, who led the delegation on Saturday, expressed concerns about the encounter.The team included CPI(M) member Nithin Bangera, journalist Naveen Soorinje, and activist Kavya Achuth.
“We visited three houses in Peethbail, including the house of Jayanth Gowda, where the encounter reportedly occurred. None of the houses were occupied by locals at the time; only Anti Naxal Force (ANF) personnel were present. After spending an hour at the site, we spoke to locals who had shifted to nearby areas. They recounted hearing gunshots while returning from work that evening and being blocked by the ANF from proceeding further. Many took refuge with relatives,” Katipalla stated.
He said that while Vikram Gowda may have been a maoist , the Malekudiya families living on the fringes of the forest are not. He alleged, “These families are being harassed and live in constant fear following the encounter. We suspect Vikram’s death may have been an attempt to suppress the voices of villagers and tribal communities who the govt fears might oppose the Kasturirangan report,” he said.
The delegation also met Vikram Gowda’s sister, Suguna, who shared her grievances. “The family was handed Vikram’s body nearly 24 hours after the encounter, without cold storage facilities. They also had to bear the ambulance charges to transport the body from the scene of crime to a hospital in Manipal. This is deeply unjust,” Muneer alleged.
He further criticised the lack of political intervention, stating that no politician visited the area to address the concerns of locals or build confidence among them.
“The villagers are upset not only by the lack of development but also by the govt’s failure to take up confidence-building measures after the incident,” he said.