Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Jan 26: Puttaswamy Gowda, who had served as circle inspector here before being posted to Birur, and Rajesh K, a constable of Anti Naxal Force, have won Shaurya medals for gallantry. These presidential medals are given during Republic Day functions.

The two have been named for the medals, taking into consideration their efforts in engaging a naxal gang near Mutluppadi Mairollijaddu in Andar village in the taluk, and slaying naxal leader, Vasant Gowda. The police team, which had advance information about the arrival of the naxal gang in that route, awaited for the gang, devoid of food for an entire day. The policemen attacked Vasant Gowda and two of his accomplices, as soon as they approached the site by climbing down the Western Ghat, on March 1, 2010 evening.

Puttaswamy Gowda had led the operation. Rajesh continued to get engaged in the operation in spite of a bullet injury suffered in his right arm during the friction.