Karkala: Naxal Arrested, Large Cache of Arms and Ammunitions Confiscated

Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Jul 31: The policemen who arrested Krishna alias Kiran (28), a suspected naxal, have been able to confiscate a large cache of ammunitions, arms, explosives and other naxal-related items. The Excise and Anti-Lottery Squad police circle inspector based in Theerthahalli had taken Krishna into possession from Doorvasapura on Agumbe road on suspicion. After they found him to be a naxal, he was subjected to further interrogation.

The anti-naxal force Shimoga and police officials were guided by the arrested person, to several drums buried in Tingalamakki forest near Karkala. The drums contained large quantity of arms, ammunition, explosives, grenades and other naxal related items.

Nearly 2,076 rounds of ammunition that can be used for 15 types of rifles, a .303 rifle, a grenade, 80 detonators, 26 non-electric detonators, four 65mm used cartridges, two .303 rifle butts, a walkie-talkie, a camera flash and a computer printer were found from the site. Maoist hand bills, books, literature and other goods used by naxals were also recovered.

During the interrogation, Krishna confessed to have taken part in the incident in which naxals had burnt down a bus in July last year near Agumbe. The police hope to extract more information from him. It is said that he has revealed more such locations where naxals have hidden their goods but because of inclement weather, the policemen have not been able to verify the genuineness of this information so far. The policemen want to procure police custody of Krishna after producing him in the court and then try to elicit more information from him.

Krishna, who joined the naxal movement two and half years ago, is a member of the lower most rung in the organization and hence does not have in-depth information about their activities. As far as he knows, four gangs named Tunga, Bhadra, Varahi and Netra with a membership of around 30, are functioning in the region. He was about to get out of the organization, they said.

Western range inspector general of police A M Prasad said that the team would be rewarded with Rs 10,000 for this achievement and a recommendation will be made for higher rewards. The anti-naxal force with a total strength of about 500 is working day and night to control the naxal menace, in tandem with the police teams. "We are aiming at strengthening it further," he said.