Karnataka govt rejects calls for probe into killing of Maoist leader
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said Maoist leader Vikram Gowda, who was shot dead in an alleged encounter with the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), was carrying "deadly" weapons, and rejected calls for a probe into the killing.
Had the ANF not shot him, he would have fired at all of them, he said, as he rejected any suspicion surrounding his killing on Monday.
"He (Gowda) was carrying a deadly weapon, an automatic machine gun-like weapon. If they (ANF personnel) did not shoot him, he would have fired at them. So I'm told that he was shot at first sight. So there is no need to suspect anything," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said there are more than 60 cases against him, including murder charges.
"...so not taking any chances, he was 'encountered'. Further details I can share once it comes to me in writing from the department," he added.
Gowda (46) was killed in an alleged exchange of fire between the ANF and a group of Maoists near Peetebailu village in Kabbinale area near Hebri of Udupi district.
According to officials, he was one of the most wanted Maoist leaders from Karnataka, facing 61 cases, including murder and extortion, in Karnataka, and 19 in Kerala.
Reacting to Karkala BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar's statement that Naxal activities had surged after the Congress came to power last year, the Minister noted that the incident happened in his constituency -- Karkala, where the ANF is also headquartered.
"The ANF had constantly been keeping a watch on Naxal activities. Until recently there was nothing. Fifteen days ago two persons named Latha and Raju, who are Naxal leaders, were sighted and I was reported about it. So the Internal Security Division (ISD) started a combing operation. Meanwhile, information about Gowda came and ANF were trying to track him and the 'encounter' has happened," he said.
The Minister noted that there have been calls from some quarters demanding a probe into Gowda's killing, but pointed out that there were 60 cases against him, and he was carrying weapons when he was "encountered."
"Tell me, in what angle investigation should be done? Everything was done within the framework of law. The person who was involved in murders, carrying weapons like automatic machine guns, cannot be left and treated in a friendly manner," he said.
To a question on some "Leftists" allegedly targeting the government over the encounter saying that there is no "difference" between Congress and BJP, Parameshwara said it is not the question about the two political parties.
"It is the question of safety. For what purpose he had taken up Naxalism is important. He was told to surrender, his relatives also had asked him to quit and surrender, they had even written letters. He did not pay heed to them," he said.
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2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
