Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 3: It appears that the naxal gangs are not at all bothered by the combing operations being conducted by the teams of the Anti-Naxal Force in various villages and forests in the naxal-infested regions of the district located at the foot of the Western Ghats.

It is reported that four naxals visited Tombattu, a village located in Amasebail gram panchayat, on the evening of Saturday November 1. They roamed around the village, spoke to villagers and went into the Bhagemane forest.

Earlier, a team of 17 naxals had celebrated Diwali in Balmane village within Amasebail gram panchayat by feasting on delicacies prepared by locals.  It is suspected that the gang members belonged to the break-away naxal faction led by Vikram Gowda.

Some Maoist handbills were found strewn all over the road between Hebri and Someshwar on Sunday November 2. Although it appears to be the handiwork of naxals to show that they are active, there is a possibility that those who came in their possession sometime back might have scattered them on the road now. The handbills now recovered bear the May 23, 2008 date.