Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Mar 9: After naxals were sighted in a resort in Wayanad district, Kerala, bordering the forest regions of Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts, the police have intensified combing operations. Check posts on the borders have been placed on high alert. Search is also on for naxals in Nagarahole and Bandipur forests on the border between the said districts.

On Thursday, a gang of naxals having over ten members had visited a resort in the region and sought food. They also threatened to take those in the resort as hostage. The staff immediately contacted the police. Kerala police reached the spot shortly after which exchange of fires took place between the two sides. A suspected naxal named Jaleel died in this incident and the others escaped. It is said that this gang also had a woman naxal leader named Latha.

The police suspect that the naxals would have sneaked into Bandipur national park and Nagarahole national park on the border of Kodagu district with Chamarajanagar. Precautionary steps have been taken, and Anti Naxal Force has been searching for the naxals since Thursday itself. Alert has also been sounded in sensitive areas like Bhagamandala, Napiklu and Virajpet rural police station limits.

The force had undertaken combing operation for naxals since a week, and it is believed that the gang which was trying to flee into Kerala would have reached the resort in Wayanad district on the way.