Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 30: The naxals are observing martyrs' day for a week from July 28 to August 3. The anti-naxal forces (ANF), created specifically to keep a tab and prune down naxal activities, was expected to be on high alert during the period. But it is left in the lurch as its top officials have been transferred and newly-appointed ones are yet to take charge!

The fact that the blast at Mattau engineered by naxals injuring several policemen, occurred exactly three years ago and the recovery of naxal hand bills at Karkala and Chikmagalur, has created apprehensions in the minds of the people about the perceived naxal threat. The ANF however, has become directionless at this crucial juncture.

ANF superintendent of police Subhash Gudimani has been transferred. Senior IPS officer B Dayanand, posted as the head of a separate anti-naxal squad headed by DIGP with Karkala as its headquarters, has not yet taken over charge. IPS officer Amrit Paul, who was posted as superintendent of police of the district too has not yet reported.