MALAPPURAM: Four of the 10 alleged Maoists who set on fire two forest outposts and seized forest watchers for a while in the Karulaayi forest range in Malappuram on Friday night have been identified, according to the police.
The incident occurred at the forest outpost at T.K. colony, Poonthottamkavu near Pookottumpadam bordering the Silent Valley. “The Maoists comprised of two women. Of the four we identified, one is Wayanad native Soman,” said Perinthalmanna deputy superintendent of police, P.M. Pradeep, who is heading the probe.
Two cases were slapped against the Maoists at Pookottumpadam police, including under the Unlawful Activities Preven-tion Act (UAPA). “It might be an attempt to show that their activities have not been bogged down after the arrest of Rupesh and aides,” he added.
According to the watchers of the forest department, the armed gang first introduced themselves as Thunderbolt members, the special squad formed to root out Maoists.
“Four watchers and a passerby, Hyderali, were asked to walk with them for about half-a-km. After taking the SIM cards of our phones and threatening us , they vanished,” recalled forest watcher Ajay Krishnan.
Meanwhile, a press release in the name of people’s liberation guerilla army of CPI Maoists claimed that the ‘attack’ was a revenge against the anti-tribal and anti-farmer policies perpetuated by the forest department. Sources said that the Thunderbolt team had entered the forest on Saturday morning for combing operation.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
