Naxalites torch van, motorcycle in Kuthlur

MANGALORE: The Anti-Naxal Force's skirmishes with left-wing extremists came to a boil yet again with a group of around 10-15 alleged Naxalites knocking on the doors of Ramachandra Bhat, a social activist at Kuthlur village in Belthangady taluk in the wee hours on Saturday.
The Naxalites, who couldn't get Bhat to come out, torched a van and a motorcycle parked in the compound.The van was gutted and the motorcycle partially damaged.
The ANF immediately intensified combing operations as well as investigation into the case. ANF Commander Seemanth Kumar Singh told STOI, "The cat-and-mouse game between the ANF and the left-winged extremists is an ongoing exercise." Combing has been intensified in Kuthlur area in search of the Naxalites, believed to be led by Vikram Gowda.
A senior police official told STOI that Bhat's active role with an NGO in trying to resettle tribals from the Kudremukh National Park could have earned him the naxalites' ire. "It's a bit surprising they have surfaced in the area after being on the defensive for such a long time," he said, adding the possibility of waning support to the movement and a gradual acceptance of the rehabilitation package could have riled the Naxalites.
The Naxalites left behind pamphlets opposing the plan of the state government to rehabilitate tribals from the national park. Inspector-General of Police (western range) Pratap Reddy, who visited the spot, said. "Bhat said there were at least five persons who knocked on his door, and at least five others standing guard near the gate," IGP said, adding that the Naxalites were carrying firearms, none of which Bhat was able to identify.
Based on lookout notices for the Naxalites operating in the region, Reddy said, Bhat was able to identify Vikram Gowda, who is believed to be leading a group of Naxalites. Bhat, a local gram panchayat member, stays with his family in the house located off Kukkuje Cross under Venoor police station limits. A case of arson, unlawful assembly, Arms Act and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act has been registered against the Naxalites.