Kozhikode: Maoist scare has revisited Wayanad within three weeks of the firing incident reported from the Nilambur forest division last month.
A three-member team of forest officials engaged in tiger census at the Mundakkai area under the Meppadi forest ranges in Wayanad had to retreat when they heard gunshots suspected to be fired by Maoists on Thursday. The team was at Velloorippara, close to Nilambur division known for Maoist presence, forest officials said.
“The team heard a gunshot around 11.30 a.m. and they decided not to venture further,” said P. Dhaneshkumar, divisional forest officer in Wayanad.
The place is close to the Munderi forests in Nilambur division where Maoists were reportedly present earlier, he said. But he said the team comprising beat officers Anup Kumar and K.C. Vijayan and Raju, a forest watcher, had not seen anybody firing at them.
On November 28, a forest watcher had come under fire from suspected Maoists near Pothumkadavu under the Nilambur forest division.
