Maoists coming to Kerala as migrant labourers, says state govt

Maoist guerrillas are expanding their base in Kerala and many are coming to the state posing as migrant labourers, the state government has said, citing intelligence reports.

The rebels, the government said, are trying to expand their base in forest areas of Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode and Palakkad districts.

"The intelligence wing has reported that some Maoists are masquerading as migrant labourers in Kerala," said Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

"We have taken several measures to identify these people. The government is aware about the Maoist threat and a special team comprising of three police companies has been constituted to rein in the growing trouble," Chennithala said.

In May 2013, the government assigned Thunderbolt commando wing to counter the Maoists in the state.

But even after thorough combing operations in the forest for many months, the commandoes have not been arrest any of the guerrillas.

In April this year, suspected Maoists gave death threats to Pramod Bhaskaran, a police officer posted at Mananthawady traffic police station in Wayanad district. Later, his bike was torched and a warning poster was put up outside his house.

Reports of the presence of Maoists continue to pour in from north Kerala. Police say the guerrillas are being led by Roopesh.

In October 2013, an earthmover was torched, allegedly by Maoists, in Chooranimala in Kozhikode.

In November 2013, some unidentified people fired at a reserve forest warden in Nilambur in Malappuram district.

Many villagers in Kannur and Wayanad have claimed to have seen armed guerrillas.

Suspected Maoists even went to houses of villagers and sought food, said reports.

There were also reports that a Maoist team visited Kombara tribal colony in Wayanad and asked people to join their rebellion.

Home minister's statement on the presence of Maoists in the state is a clear sign that the government would intensify the search for rebel leaders.

Though police published photos of Maoists leaders in the newspapers, they have not been able to gather much information regarding their activities.

Insiders say the government is also watching some activists working in tribal areas to know whether Maoists receive any help from them.