Malappuram: The Adivasi community in the Nedunkayam forests in Nilambur is a worried lot as the Maoists have warned that land mines have been laid on the paths through which they go for collecting honey. The warning came amid reports that the militants have regrouped in the forest region after last year’s police operation against them in which two top leader were gunned down.
The threat has affected the honey harvesting during the peak season, which is a major source of income for the tribes. They are scared of venturing out to their traditionally earmarked forest regions to collect honey. According to the tribal convention, the deep forest regions are divided between the communities for harvesting honey and collecting other forest produce. They would not cross their allotted areas.
Nedunkayam forest range officer K. Ashraf has confirmed that some of the tribes have received warning from the Maoists to stop them going to deep forests in search of honeycombs. This was a tactic of the Maoists to keep the armed forces away from the surroundings of Vrichimala where the militants have reportedly planted the land mines. According the police, the warning was given by a gang of armed Maoists to the Adivasis who went to collect honey from the deep forests.
The Maoists have regrouped at Dondakkal, a forest interstate boundary region, after their camp at Varamala was busted during last year’s operation.
The forest department’s honey collection centre receives 200-300 litres per week. “There is variation in the overall quantity due to many reasons, including lack of rain. We can assess the real impact of the Maoist threat on the honey collection at the end of the season,” Mr Ashraf said.
