Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 4: A family residing in Kabbinale village near Hebri in the district has now admitted that the naxals who visited the village a few days back, had forcibly taken away a gun from them. 

Earlier, there were rumours that a gang of naxals had visited the village and had consumed food after getting the supply of ingredients required, from a family there. But, the police department had dismissed the rumours as baseless, for the reason that they had not received any official confirmation on the reports. It is learnt, the incident occurred on Saturday February 28.

The family was afraid, that the naxals would harm them if they file a police complaint. They seem to have realized, that non-reporting can complicate the matter further.  It is learnt, the gang of naxals appeared again around Kabbinale village on the night of Monday March 2 and conducted house-to-house visits in Konkanara Bettu, Neerani, Melumath etc., seeking information about the wages being paid to them and details of harassment if any being meted out to them by their employers.

The locals have demanded that the Anti-naxal Force which is operating in the region has to be strengthened further. At present, the force has a strength of about 30 personnel, which is grossly insufficient to control the movement of naxals, they feel. They are disappointed at the apathy shown by the concerned towards putting an end to the frequent visits by naxals to their villages, which creates a sense of fear and apprehension among them, besides giving them sleepless nights.