Search on for suspected Maoists in forest areas of Chakkittappara in Kozhikode

Armed men threaten residents, take away groceries from shop

Kozhikode Rural police and Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) members have intensified their search in the forest areas around Chakkittappara panchayat after two residents were allegedly threatened by armed Maoists a few days ago. Police deployment has also been intensified in areas where local residents had reportedly met them at different times. “The investigation teams have taken up the complaints seriously as the armed men had also raised death threats against me. For us, this is the first experience,” said Chakkittappara panchayat president Sunil Kallunkal. He said the statement of the two local residents whom the armed Maoists met showed that they were very much scared after the incident. Though there were unconfirmed reports earlier from interior areas of Chakkittappara about the visit of Maoists, it was the first time that they approached residents directly, on August 17. They had also taken away groceries from a local shop.