Udupi: Slain Naxal Vasanth Gowdlu Involved in 30 Cases - IGP
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SB)
Udupi, Mar 3: Inspector general of police (western range) Gopal Hosur said on Tuesday March 2 that the police had recovered a Indian-made self-loading rifle (SLR), normally used by paramilitary force, three magazines and 33 live bullets from suspected naxal Vasanth Gowdlu alias Sunder from Kotlur village, who was killed in an encounter at Mairadijaddu in Udupi district on March 1.
Speaking to media persons, Hosur said that Gowdlu was an important naxal leader with involvement in 30 cases and also had a reward of Rs 3 lac on his head. He was wanted in cases including that of the landmine blast against a police party near Hebri in 2005 and the killing of two persons Bhoja Shetty and Suresh Shetty at Devarabalu here in 2008.
Explaining about March 1 operations, Hosur said that the police team fired in self-defence. He said that acting on a tip off, a team of police and Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) comprising 16 personnel reached the spot and asked the naxal team to surrender. But the three naxals including Gowdlu opened the fire at the team. Thus the exchange of fire lasted for 15 minutes killing Gowdlu and severely injuring a DAR PC Rajesh. He has undergone a surgery and is now out of danger. The other two naxals, who are probably injured managed to escape, he said. The informant whose identity will not be revealed would be awarded Rs 1 lakh, he added.
Slain Naxal Vasanth
On the occasion, Hosur warned the naxals to surrender adding that the police were well armed and organized. Stern action will be taken against naxal sympathizers, said Hosur stating that naxal activities have come down heavily in the recent years as the combing operations have been intensified in all naxal prone areas,” he said. As many as 35 naxal supporters have been arrested in the last six to eight months, he added.
War against Underworld Elements
Reiterating that the department has taken up war against organized crimes in the districts, Hosur said the arrest of Sri Rama Sene leader Prasad Attavar by the Mangalore police on March 1 for being part of underworld don Ravi Poojary’s extortion racket sends a clear message to people involved in organized crimes. Criminals who escaped to foreign countries should surrender or face the music. As many as 120 people involved in organized crimes have been arrested in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district and 30 small weapons have been seized, during the last one year, he said.
Superintendent of Police Pravin Pawar was present.