The state is contemplating creation of a special contingent of the state police by imparting special training to combat the infiltration of Maoists in the state, Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan informed the Assembly on Monday.
Replying to a submission presented by Benny Behanan (Cong), the Minister said that it was a fact that Maoist groups were trying to broaden their influence on the Karnataka-Kerala border.
It has also come to the notice of the government that the groups had made it a point to reinforce itself on the occasion of the death anniversary dates of Naxal Varghese and Jogi, who was killed in the Muthanga action, he said.
The Minister said that all precautionary measures had been taken to contain the threat posed by Maoist groups. A combined zonal mechanism for Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is sharing information and co-ordinating counter measures to face the threat, he added.
Steps to bring down their influence in border areas of Kerala with Karnataka is also pursued by addressing the needs of the local population from a socio-economic-political perspective, he said.
Thiruvanchoor said that the charge that the arms in nine police stations in the Kannur area had been shifted is over projected. ‘’There is no let up in the exercise to strengthen police stations in the area. Only excess arms have been shifted,’’ he said, countering the allegation of former Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
Presenting the submission, Benny Behanan had pointed out that the state had effectively dealt with the Naxalite uprising in the 70s. But people in the state have strong doubts and fears when reports of increasing Maoist presence is pouring in. ‘’There is a congenial socio-economic atmosphere and a political ground for the spreading of activities of such groups now in the state. The government should take all mainstream political parties in the state into confidence to counter the threat,’’ he opined.