Beltangady: Policeman Killed in Naxal Encounter, Compensation of Rs 10 Lac
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Belthangady (PS)
Update
Beltangady, Oct 9: DG and IGP Neelam Achuta Rao who was in the city has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lac to the family of Mahadeva S Mane, who lost his life battling against a group of Naxals at Manjalakadu forest near Savanaalu near Beltangady here in the early hours of Sunday October 9.
The encounter occurred at around 12.30 am, when the police team was on a search operation in the forest.
Mahadeva S Mane (40), a Bijapur-based Anti Naxal Force (ANF) police died during the encounter.
Speaking to presspersons Neelam Achuta Rao said that the case will be investigated by internal security division. In addition to Rs 10 lac compensation, Rs 5 lac will be given by the chief minister.
The ANF team went on combing operations at 8.30 pm on Saturday alongwith some local police, it is said. At 12.30 am they countered a team of Naxals consisting of 15 members. It is suspected that the team is Netravati Naxal group led by Vikram Gowda. Many policemen were injured in the incident after a round of bullets were exchanged between police and Naxals, who dissolved into the dark forest.
DK district SP Labhu Ram arrived at the spot and the combing operation has now resumed, as per latest report at 9.15 am.
Police forces from Chikamaglur and Shimoga district have also been called for the combing operation.
It is learnt that after the rain receded, Naxal movement was active in the region. There were suspicions of members belonging to Naxal team visiting a few houses in the villages and collecting grocery items.
Mane's body was taken for post martem but the bullet could not be found. It was then shifted to a private hospital in Ujire for an X-ray. Assistant director general of police Bipin Gopalkrishna, SP DK district Labhu Ram, IG Alok Mohan, SP of ANF Vasudev Moorthy are at the spot.
Mane is survived by wife and two daughters.
Altogether around 300 personnel have been pressed into the combing operations, but chances of tracing the Naxals is less now as they might have moved deep into the forest or may have crossed into Chikamaglur side, sources said.