Naxal Vikram Gowda cremated at Kudlu village

Udupi: Naxal leader Vikram Gowda was cremated at his ancestral home in Kudlu village of Hebri Taluk on Monday.

His brother Suresh Gowda performed the last rites with close family members, including his sister Suguna, and some villagers attending the ceremony.

The cremation, conducted amidst tight security, marked the end of a 21-year chapter of separation between Vikram Gowda and his family.

Speaking about his brother, Suresh Gowda expressed regret over the path Vikram chose.

“He could have surrendered and returned to lead a peaceful life. There were many opportunities for him to start afresh. If he had returned,” he told reporters.

“I had been to Mumbai for work at a younger age. Vikram had joined the Naxals, and we lost all contact. We were unaware of his whereabouts for over 20 years. We only learned of the encounter through media reports and confirmed it when the police called us,” he added.

Suresh also emphasized that the family had not faced any harassment from authorities during Vikram’s time with the Naxals.

“The police never troubled us. Occasionally, they called us to sign reports, but they never caused any problems,” he asserted.

Villagers who attended the cremation expressed mixed feelings. While they remembered Vikram as a good-natured person from their community, they were critical of his involvement in the armed rebellion.