The Hindu

Mangalore, Mar 11: Even as the ongoing operations against naxalites received a shot in the arm with the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) arresting 10 alleged sympathisers at Kudlu village in Udupi district, the police top brass monitoring the operations here is worried. This stems from the fact that a team of naxalites, headed by Vikram Gowda operating in the area, is procuring explosives like gelatine sticks and detonators.

The logistic support which the naxalites are getting from the local people — either voluntarily or maybe even through coercion - is a cause for concern, says Ashit Mohan Prasad, Inspector-General of Police (Western Range).

Mr. Prasad, who is also commander of ANF, told The Hindu here on Monday that the ANF on Sunday nabbed two more alleged sympathisers of naxalites for providing logistic support to the group.

Some villagers in Hebri police station limits are legally allowed to store explosives, including gelatine sticks and detonators. It is used for purposes such as fishing, he said. As per information gathered from the interrogation of the eight alleged naxal sympathisers who were nabbed in areas surrounding Hebri on Thursday, the villagers are generally selling these explosives to the naxalites, he said.

Terming the number of arrests in this incident as big, Mr. Prasad said the accused had not revealed the exact reasons why the naxalites were buying these explosives. "We have information that some of the naxalites operating in the region are from Andhra Pradesh. They are well versed in the art of handling explosives and this is bad news for the ANF and the police. The explosives can be used against any target," he noted.

While the ANF had intensified combing operations in and around Kudlu, the IGP said they were yet to achieve success in either spotting or engaging the naxalites. "When we raided two of their hideouts, they had moved out." They tend to move around in a group at night and individually during the day. While it was not possible to ensure police presence in naxal-affected areas, "we will certainly improve our visibility there," he added.