Aged woman cowherd was go-between for Naxals’ surrender

CHIKKAMAGALUR: An aged woman, who is a cowherd, played a key role in the recent surrender of six Naxals. Gowramma had carried a letter from the Shantigagi Nagarikara Vedike on behalf of the state government to the Naxals after trekking for 72 days.

The efforts to get the Naxals to surrender had began even before the killing of Naxal leader Vikram Gowda in an exchange of fire. Gowramma would cover 20-30 km to deliver messages from the committee to the Naxals and back.

Gowramma is a resident of Kittalemane near Kigga in Sringeri taluk and acted as the go-between for the Naxals and the Vedike and government. “The Naxals asked me if I could deliver a letter and I told them I was scared. After I came to know that lives would be saved, I was happy to do the job”, she said.

“Now that the Naxals have surrendered, the authorities should resolve the other problems being faced by the people. None of us in the village have property documents. Basic facilities should also be provided”, Gowramma said.