Mangaluru: Are Maoists attempting to reestablish their foothold in Karnataka’s Western Ghats? Could the lingering fears over the Kasturirangan report be giving them a new issue to garner sympathy from the people? These concerns have arisen following the encounter in which Maoist leader Vikram Gowda was reportedly killed, along with sightings of armed Maoists in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Chikkamagaluru districts in recent days.
A historical context: The Kudremukh National Park issue
The dense forests, remote villages, and tribal settlements of the Western Ghats have long provided a haven for Maoist activity. The group gained significant traction in Karnataka during the anti-Kudremukh National Park movement in the early 2000s. The declaration of the park by the government, which imposed restrictions on people living within its limits, led to fears of displacement among locals.
These concerns, coupled with reports of forest department excesses, gave Maoists an opportunity to pose…