Vinod Gowda (Maoist)
{{Short description|Indian Maoist insurgent (1978–2024)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name =
| alt =
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| birth_date = 1978
| birth_place = Hebri, Karnataka, India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|11|18|1978|11|26|df=yes}}
| death_place = Karnataka, India
| death_cause = Gunshot wound
| other_names =
| organization = Communist Party of India (Maoist)
| known_for = Leader of Nadukani dalam
| spouse =
| image =
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| criminal_charge = Left wing extremism, Murder, Criminal Conspiracy
| criminal_status = Killed in Encounter
}}
Vinod Gowda (1978 – 18 November 2024) was an Indian Maoist commander and member of Communist Party of India (Maoist). He was involved in left wing extremist activities across south India region.{{Cite news|title=Key Maoist leader Vikram Gowda killed in encounter near Hebri in Karnataka|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/prime-maoist-leader-vikram-gowda-killed-in-police-encounter-near-hebri/article68884424.ece|access-date=2024-11-29|website=The Hindu}}
Early life and education
Vikram Gowda belonged to the Malekudiya tribal community Hebri taluk in Udupi district, Karnataka. He dropped out of school at class 4th and worked as a waiter in Mumbai in most of teenage life.
His parents are Venkayya Gowda and Gulabi Gowda, he was the eldest of four siblings in his family.{{Cite news|title=How does Naxalism thrive? Vikram Gowda's death and Karnataka's ongoing battle|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/news/how-does-naxalism-thrive-vikram-gowdas-death-and-karnatakas-ongoing-battle/|access-date=2024-11-27|website=South First}}
Guerrilla life
He returned to his village in 1990s and actively participated in protests against the Kudremukh National park formation which will lead to many tribal families including his being evicted from their land.
He began in his Maoist career from 1998 initially as a supply courier person but quickly rose through ranks of the group. From 2003 he became the leader of the Nadukani dalam, a group of Maoists active in the forests of Kerala, Tamil nadu and Karnataka, and had a series of crimes including extortion, murder and looting.
He had 114 cases pending against him, including three murder cases and had a total bounty of ₹5,50,000 in Kerala and Karnataka.{{Cite news|title=Vikram Gowda: Maoist leader wanted for 22 years with over 114 cases|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/vikram-gowda-maoist-leader-wanted-for-22-years-with-over-114-cases/article68886277.ece|access-date=2024-11-29|website=The Hindu}}
Death
He was killed in an encounter with Anti-naxal squad on 18 November 2024 in Udupi district, Karnataka.{{Cite news|title=Gowda's death blow to Maoist movt: Experts|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gowdas-death-blow-to-maoist-movt-experts-101732215987603.html|access-date=2024-11-29|website=Hindustan Times}}
See also
References
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