Criminal activities in the name of maoists in Wayanad

KOZHIKODE: Criminal activities in the name of Maoists are on the rise in Wayanad.   The people having personal problems blame the Maoists when something untoward happens, although the Maoists may be nowhere in sight. The latest is the alleged incident of armed Maoists tying Tharayil Shajan,  46,  at Venmani in Thavinjaal grama panchayat,  Mananthawady,  on Tuesday.

According to Shajan, two Maoists pointed a gun at  him and asked for food. When he  declined, the Maoists tied his hands  and abandoned him on the road at night.  Shajan said there were six armed Maoists in the group. But the police have not  found any Maoist presence so far.

In January last,  Lijeesh Jose, manager of a resort at Rippon in Meppadi,  went missing and he himself called his relatives and said that  armed Maoists  had taken  him  hostage. Later, the police found that Lijeesh had faked the incident as he wanted to leave the place due to the loss suffered in online business.   The  Thunderbolt force had combed the entire area.

A year back, a woman had approached the police complaining that Maoists had tried to kidnap her  in Thavinjaal panchayat.  The probe revealed that the complaint was false. The rumours  of Maoists presence spread  like wild fire in places  identified as ultras-prone.

“A probe is on in the latest incident that happened at Venmani.  The police  cannot confirm Maoist presence unless they come across concrete evidence,” said  Mr Asainar,  deputy superintendent of police.  Vernacular media reported that an armed gang had visited the houses near Chirakkara estate in Thavinjaal on Friday and  collected food materials. Meanwhile, there are allegations that some cops were  promoting Maoist news with an eye on getting huge funds.