Vikram Gowda Encounter: Uneasy silence shrouds Peethabail

Karkala/Hebri: Following the encounter in Peethabail, a remote hamlet 8 km from Kabbinale in the Western Ghats, an eerie silence has enveloped the area.

The shootout between Naxals and the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) on Monday evening claimed the life of Vikram Gowda. The village, now under tight security, is reeling from the aftermath. Forensic teams from Mangaluru and Bengaluru have been collecting evidence at the site since the incident, which has left the community in shock.

Tense Scene at Peethabail

Vikram Gowda’s distant relatives, Jayant Gowda, Sudhakar Gowda, and Narayana Gowda, own three homes in the area. The encounter occurred on Jayant Gowda’s property, where all family members were away working as agricultural laborers in nearby Kabbinale.

On the day of the incident, the families left for work in the morning. By the time they returned in the evening, the area was cordoned off by police. They were denied entry into their homes due to ongoing investigations. As a result, they have been staying with relatives.

Evidence of the Encounter

Marks of gunfire are visible on areca and coconut trees around Jayant Gowda’s house. The site where Vikram Gowda’s body fell has been marked, and forensic experts have circled several pieces of evidence, numbering them for investigation.

Inside the Abandoned Homes

Jayant Gowda’s house still holds remnants of everyday life—a pot left on the stove and stale cooked food. The silence is broken only by the occasional cries of chickens and dogs, now uncared for. The other two houses in the vicinity remain similarly abandoned, their doors left unlocked as usual, reflecting the area’s rural simplicity.

Family’s Grief

Girija, Jayant Gowda’s wife, is currently staying with her daughter in Pullantabetta, and she expressed her anguish. “Police told us not to return home for safety reasons. Vikram Gowda was killed in the encounter. My son Rakesh had a broken hand and was treated at a hospital last week. We learned about everything through TV,” she said.

Appeal for Basic Amenities

Residents of Peethabail and nearby Tingalamakki have urged the government to address their needs. “We lack basic facilities, including proper roads. Being differently-abled, it’s tough to sustain life here. The government should provide better infrastructure and implement special pension schemes,” said Lakshman Gowda, a Tingalamakki resident.