KUNDAPURA ( KARNATAKA):Posters and banners put up by the CPI (Maoist) elements at Arasammakanu in Shedimane village of Kundapur taluk have raised an alarm among the villagers. The posters seeking withdrawal of the Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats and stopping of Project Tiger were put up late on Friday.
The posters were found pasted on the walls of the bus stand and some shops in Arasammakanu town. They stated that though the country got independence long ago, atrocities against women had not ended. Hence, people should unite in order to fight against discrimination. The posters also opposed the government move to initiate “anti-people” projects and asked the public to unite to protect the Western Ghats. “As government entertains foreign companies, the locals are being forcefully evicted from their places. Hence, people should unite,” it said.
Soon after spotting the posters and banners on Saturday morning, locals informed the Amasebailu Police, who came to the spot and removed them.
Police said they suspected that Maoists were trying to exploit the apprehensions among the local people on the adverse impact the Kasturirangan report would have on their livelihood if implemented. According to locals, this was the first time Naxal posters were found so close to the town. Naxals used to frequent one side of the highway in Shankaranarayana and Mada Makki, but this time, they crossed the highway to put up posters in the town, the villagers said.