The clashes between the police and the Maoists took place late, wherein the former successfully overpowered the culprits. CPI (Maoists) Banasura Area Committee Commander Chandru (33) and an active woman comrade Unnimaya (28) are the nabbed communist terrorists. Police took both into custody for five days, on the basis of the Kalppeta District Sessions Court order. Police are still searching for the three red terrorists who escaped.
It is reported that Lata, Sundari and a male communist had fled the scene; the male terrorist was guarding in front of a house; he was carrying a gun. Despite the police’s order to surrender, the communists started to shoot, and then the forces retaliated in the same coin. Top police officials told the media that no one is injured. Police recovered an AK 47, one INSAS rifle, and two country guns from the arrested communists. During the shootouts, three communists ran away from the rear side of the house. But, still the shooting continued from within the house. Then the police entered the house and overpowered both Chandru and Unnimaya by force before taking them into custody.
Both Chandru and Unnimaya raised slogans “CPI (Maoist) zindabad” in the court premises and in front of the police chief’s office. Police bought them new dress and chappals to wear instead of their Maoist uniform. Chandru is is from Pollachi, Tamil Nadu and Unnimaya from Karnataka.
Waynad has been a favourite location for Maoists since their very inception in 1970s. The infamous and frightening police station attack that occurred in 1968 was in Pulppalli, in present-day Wayanad district. It is to be remembered that there was an attack on Thalasserry Police Station also one of those days. In both cases, there were casualties on police’s side.
The geographical peculiarities of the hilly district of Wayand is the major attraction for the Maoists. Thick forests and foot pathways among the woods are apt places for the guerrilla fighters. They collect money and grains from the poor farmers and vanvasi communities in the country side near forests. Quite often media come out with news of Maoists’ presence found in the villages of Wayanad and their visits to the tribal colonies and asking the natives for provisions for daily consumption. Since Wayanad district shares borders with Karnataka state, the communists can escape to the Karnataka sector of forests when they suspect the chase by the police.
Here are the media reports about the Maoists presence in Kerala and Kannur district.
Forest Development Corporation office in Kampamala was attacked and shattered on September 28.
Maoists came to Thalappuzha Poyil on October 1 and returned after buying rice and other provisions.
Police observation camera was demolished, on October 4, in Kamapamala Estate and threatened the labourers when they protested.
Maoists came to Makkimala resort on October 11 and returned after collecting rice and provisions.
Moists hurled bombs against forest watchers in Aralam Wild Sanctuary, Kannur, on October 30.
Political observers allege that Pinarayi Vijayan’s CPM regime does not take consistent serious actions against the Maoists despite the union government’s anti-red terror policy.
