The security team has confirmed that an eight-member armed gang has already entered into Varayanmala and they ... Read More

MALAPPURAM: Anti-naxal squad of Kerala police has confirmed the presence of an armed gang of eight Maoists in Varayanmala region of Nilambur, where two Maoist leaders were killed in an encounter with police two years ago.

In view of the threat of revenge from Maoists, on the occasion of second anniversary of the encounter on November 24, police have stepped up security in Nilambur region .

It was on November 24, 2016 that the central committee member of banned CPI (Maoist) Kuppu Devraj and his aide Kaveri (Ajitha) who were attending a camp inside forest, were killed in an encounter with police around 10 kilometres away from Padukka forest station near Karulayi. Though the naxal group had announced last year that they will organize commemoration function at Varayanmala and will take revenge, their effort to enter the Nilambur forest region failed due to the intervention of police.

According to the sources of anti-naxal squad, the security team has confirmed that an eight-member armed gang has already entered into Varayanmala and they are planning to convene a commemoration meeting this week. “There were intelligence inputs that the naxal groups have vowed to visit the spot and to take revenge. Police officials are anticipating provocation from the part of Maoists and all police stations in the region are under high-vigil”, said source.

Police and Thunderbolts have already started joint combing operation inside forest and police have already started special inspection of vehicles on highways of Kerala and Tamilnadu border region. Security has been stepped up in Karuvarakkund, Kalikavu, Pookkottumpadam, Nilambur, Edakkara, Vazhikkadavu and Pothukal police stations in forest border areas which are facing Maoist threat.

A report recently prepared by intelligence wing of Anti-naxal squad of state police said that the Western Ghats Special Zonal Committee (WGSZC) of CPI (Maoist) is increasing the strength of its armed wing, People’s Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) members in five district of state. According to the report which was submitted to government says that there is an alarming increase in number of PLGA members after the Nilambur encounter and around 45 PLGA members attended a martyrdom observance programme held inside Wayanad-Kozhikode forest border in August.

